1BH 


JBi 


THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


**S»  X 


VELASUU; 


A    TRAGEDY, 


IN    FIVE    ACTS. 


BY     E  P  E  S     SARGENT, 


NEW- YORK  : 
HARPER    &    BROTHERS, 

1839 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1838  liy 

HARFER  &  BROTHERS, 
In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  Southern  District  of  New  York'. 


WILLIAM    C.    PRESTON 


OF    SOUTH    CAROLINA 


THIS  DRAMA  IS  RESPECTFULLY  INSCRIBED. 


•    .' 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

THE  basis  of  this  play  is  historical,  though  many 
of  its  scenes  and  situations  are  purely  imaginary. 
All  that  may  seem  strange  or  unnatural  in  the 
conduct  of  the  drama  is  in  strict  accordance  with 


popular  tradition.     The  general  action  of  the  piece 

£      is  derived  from  incidents  in  the  career  of  Rodrigo 

C 

£^       Diaz,  the  Cid,  whose   achievements  constitute  so 

considerable  a  portion  of  the  historical  and  romantic 

SJf       literature  of  Spain.     The   subject  has  been  vari- 

w       ously  treated  by  French  and  Spanish  dramatists, 

3       among  others  by  the  celebrated  Corneille,  but  the 

writer  is  not  aware  that  it  has  ever  been  success- 

X       fully  introduced  upon  the  English  stage. 

A  few  copies  of  this  play  were  printed  for  the 
Theatre  in  July,  1837.  During  the  following  No- 
ui  vember  it  was  represented  on  the  Tremont  boards 
in  Boston,  Miss  Ellen  Tree  personating  the  part 
of  Izidora.  With  the  support  of  her  distinguished 
talents,  united  to  the  friendly  exertions  of  Mr.  Barry, 
the  Manager,  in  producing  the  piece  in  a  liberal  and 


460070 


ADVERTISEMENT. 

eilective  manner,  it  was  received  by  the  public  with 
more  indulgence  than  the  Author  had  ventured  to 

anticipate. 

E.  ,s. 

.\ew  York.  November  1,  1833. 


VELASCO; 
A    TRAGEDY. 


PERSONS  REPRESENTED. 

AS  PRODUCED  AT  THE  TREMONT  THEATRE,  BOSTON. 

FERDINAND,  King-  of  Castile,       MR.  DAVENPORT. 
FAVILLO,  his  Chamberlain,         .          POWELL. 
DE  LEKMA,         ....          GILBERT. 
VELASCO,  Son  O/DE  LERMA,      .          MURDOCH. 
GONZALEZ,          ....          MUZZY. 
JULIO,  Son  of  GONZALEZ,  .          BARRY. 

HERNANDO,  his  Kinsman,  .          CLINE. 

MENDOZA,  ....          CUNNINGHAM. 

ALFONZO,  ....          BENSON. 

NUNO,        .....  WHITING. 

CARLOS,  a  Page,        .         .         Miss  MCBRIDE. 
KNIGHTS,  SOLDIERS,  SERVANTS,  <fcc. 

IZIDORL,  Daughter  of  GONZALEZ,  Miss  ELLEN  TREE. 
LADIES. 


The  Scene  is  laid  in  Burgos,  about  the  year  1046. 


VELASCO: 
A    TRAGEDY. 


ACT  L 
SCENE    I, 


Before  the  Castle  of  De  Lerma —  Time,  sunset. 

(Enter  Velasco  in  the  full  costume  of  a  knight  of  the 
eleventh  century,  followed  by  Alfonzo,  his  squire.) 

VELASCO. 

>Home  !  home,  at  last,  Alfonzo  !     There  they  shine, 
/  The  old  ancestral  bulwarks,  in  the  rays 
Of  the  declining  sun  !     A  year  has  passed 
Since  last  I  gazed  upon  them — there  they  rise, 
The  same,  as  when  a  careless  child  I  play'd 
Beneath  their  mighty  shadows.     How  each  nook 
Prates  of  the  olden  time  !     The  very  air 
Is  fragrant  as  the  breath  of  infancy  ! 
Old'towers  !     I  bring  you  no  unworthy  inmate, 
No  spotted  scutcheon,  no  inglorious  name  ! 
Alfonzo  !     By  the  calendar,  what  day  ? 
Is  it  not  Santiago's  ? 

ALFONZO. 

Ay,  my  lord. 
VELASCO. 

This  day  completes  my  term  of  banishment. 
B 


14  VELASCO.  [ACT  i. 

ALFONZO. 

Banishment  ? 

VELASCO. 

Hast  thou  never  yet  divined 
The  motive  which  has  kept  my  vizor  closed 
Now  a  long  twelvemonth  to  all  human  eyes, 
Save  thine  alone  ?  that,  after  victory, 
The  king  himself  has  sued  to  me  in  vain 
T'  unbar  the  iron  mask  that  hid  my  features  ? 
Had  I  complied,  and  he  redeem'd  his  oath, 
My  instant  death  had  followed  the  disclosure. 

ALFONZO. 

My  lord  !     The  cause  did  not  affect  thy  honour? 

VELASCO. 

Ask'st  thou?     The  cause  was  trivial ;  for  the  king 

Was  young  and  hasty.  Thus  th'  occurrence  chanced : 

The  Count  Gonzalez  and  his  majesty 

Were  altercating  in  the  hall  of  council ; 

As  I  approach'd,  the  king  upraised  his  arm 

To  strike  th'  impetuous  peer ;  I  interposed, 

Perhaps  ungently  in  a  monarch's  quarrel, 

And  turn'd  the  royal  anger  on  myself. 

He  banish'd  me  the  kingdom  for  a  year — 

The  penalty  being  death,  if,  in  that  time, 

Castile  saw  my  return.     This  night  completes 

My  banishment — unveil?  my  countenance 

To  king  and  father.     They  will  start,  Alfonzo, 

In  the  mask'd  cavalier,  the  sable  knight, 

Or  whatsoever  name  they  choose  to  give  me, 

To  find  Velasco  ! 

ALFONZO. 

Whose  renown  shall  be — 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  15 


VELASCO. 

Spare  me  thy  herald's  bombast.     I  would  see 

My  father — yet,  I  dally  with  the  joy, 

Now  it  is  in  my  reach.     To-night,  the  king, 

In  honour  of  the  unknown  cavalier 

Who  fought  beneath  his  banner  ;  whose  return 

Is  promised  on  th'  occasion,  gives  a  banquet — • 

Here  is  my  reverence  due,  ere  I  depart. 

One  blast  to  call  the  warder!  Quick  !  Alfonzo. 

[Alfonzo  sounds  a  bugle. 

ALFONZO. 

Dost  thou  not  close  thy  vizor. 

VELASCO.  (closing-  his  vizor.) 

Well  bethought. 

I  wonder  if  old  Nuno  yet  is  warder  : — 
Far  back  as  memory  goes — 

(Enter  Nuno.) 
ALFONZO. 

My  lord,  behold  ! 

VELASCO. 

Nuno  ! 

ALFONZO. 

Would  you  betray  yourself? 

VELASCO. 

Not  yet. 

NUNO. 

Who  calls  ? 

VELASCO. 

Is  Count  De  Lerma  in  his  hall  ? 


16  VELASCO.  [ACT  i. 

NUNO. 

Who  may  it  be  that  asks  ? 

VELASCO, 

A  Christian  Knight. 
No  farther  title  will  thy  master  need. 

NBNO. 

Thou'rt  right  in  that.     But  he  is  not  within — 
Gone  with  the  rest  of  Burgos  to  the  palace, 
Where  the  king  banquets  the  mask'd  cavalier. 
Sir  knight !  thou'rt  mask'd  ! 

VELASCO. 

I  shall  continue  so. 
Know'st  thou,  old  man,  aught  of  the  son,  Velasco  ? 

NUNO. 
Ah  !  'tis  a  sorry  subject :  don't  recall  it. 

VELASCO. 
Sorry?  what  mean  you? 

NUNO. 

He,  sir — poor  Velasco  — 

When  last  we  heard  of  him,  had  join'd  the  Moors  ; 
Turn'd  infidel,  and  fought  against  Castile. 

VELASCO. 

Nuno  !  'tis  false.     Turn  infidel !     He'd  sooner 
Die  by  the  torture.     Pray  you,  pardon  me. 
That  is  the  rumour, — that  he  join'd  the  Moors  ? 

NUNO. 

Ay,  sir  :  it  makes  my  master  wondrous  sad.. 
But  why  art  thou  so  moved  ? 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  17 

VELASCO. 

I  knew  Velasco. 
Farewell.     I'll  seek  thy  master  at  the  palace. 

[Exit. 

NUNO. 

A  single  word  with  you,  sir — who's  your  master  ? 

ALFONZO. 

You'll  be  surprised  to  learn. 
NUNO. 

I  am  all  ears. 
ALFONZO. 
Then,  by  thine  own  admission,  thou'rt  an  ass. 

NUNO. 
Thou'rt  keen,  sir  varlet :  from  Toledo,  eh  ? 

ALFONZO. 
No  ;  from  the  wars. 

NUNO. 
Oh  !  then  your  master  is — 

ALFONZO. 
Precisely. 

NUNO. 

Yes  ;  I  thought  so. 
ALFONZO. 

You  have  hit  it. 

NUNO. 

Now,  to  surprise  me  with  his  name — 
B  2 


18  TELASCO.  [ACTI. 

ALFONZO. 

His  name ! 
You'll  be  discreet? 

NT7NO. 

Oh  !  trust  me.  WhoTs  your  master  T 
ALFONZO.  (hesitating.) 
I  shall  not  tell  you.  [Exit. 

NUNO. 

What  a  close-lipp'd  rogue  ! 
Just  as  my  ear  was  ready  for  the  secret, 
To  draw  it  back  !     I've  surely  heard  that  voice — 
But  where,  or  when  ?  to  whom  may  it  belong  ? 
Well,  well ;  I  will  not  puzzle  my  old  brains. 

[Exit.. 


SCENE  II. 

An  ante-room  in  the  Royal  Palace. 
(Enter  Favillo  and  a  Knight.) 

KNIGHT. 

Do  the  guests  yet  assemble  ? 

FAVILLO. 

Ay,  pass  on,  sir. 
They  fill  the  vestibule. 

KNIGHT. 

The  vizor'd  knight — 
Is  he  arrived  ? 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  19 

FAVILLO. 

There  yet  has  been  no  signal 
Of  his  approach. 

KNIGHT. 

And  know  you  not,  Favillo, 
Whose  face  that  vizor  hides? 

FAVILLO. 

No  more  than  thou. 
But  that  he  is  the  bravest  in  Castile 
I  can  attest.     Twice  in  the  last  campaign, 
He  saved  our  sovereign's  life — twice  madly  brave, 
Did  he  roll  back  the  crimson  tide  of  war 
Upon  our  foes,  doing  such  deeds  of  wonder, 
Our  troops  regarded  him  as  more  than  human, 
And  raised  the  battle-shout  of  Santiago. 
But,  look,  more  guests  arrive. 

KNIGHT. 

Farewell,  Favillo.     [Exit. 
(Enter  De  Lerma.) 

FAVILLO. 

Welcome,  De  Lerma.     I  had  fear'd  thy  absence. 
'Tis  the  first  time  since  thy  son's — Pardon  me  ; 
I  did  not  mean  rudely  to  touch  that  chord. 

DE  LERMA. 

A  transitory  pang !     I  come  to  see 

This  knight,  whose  fame  has  pierced  my  solitude. 

Alas  !     Favillo,  such  a  champion 

I  fondly  hoped,  one  day  to  find  Velasco — - 

And  now,  to  think  of  his  apostacy  I 


20  VELASCO.  [ACT  I. 

(Enter  Gonzalez,  hastily.) 

FAVILLO. 

Gonzalez,  welcome  !     May  I  speak  with  you  ? 

GONZALEZ. 

When  you  are  not  attended  as  at  present.         [Exit. 

FAVILLO. 

The  feud  between  you  still  is  warm,  my  lord  ? 

DE  LERMA. 

His  anger  I  regard  not.     But  more  guests 

Claim  your  attention.     I  will  to  the  king.         [Exit, 

(Enter  Hernando,  Mendoza,  and  Carlos.) 
FAVILLO. 

On  to  the  presence,  gentlemen  !     Hernando, 

Your  bride  that  is  to  be,  fair  Izidora, 

Will  grace  our  fete  ?     Why  comes  she  not  with  you  ? 

CARLOS. 
She  better  likes  her  brother's  company. 

MENDOZA. 

Peace,  boy  !     Who  question'd  you  ? 
CARLOS. 

I  like  that.     Boy ! 

HERNANDO. 

In  sooth,  Favillo,  Izidora  chose 
Th'  attendance  of  her  brother. 

FAVILLO. 

Is't  not  strange  ? 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  21 

MENDOZA. 

'T\vas  maiden  delicacy — that  was  all. 

CARLOS. 

Ay  ;  that  was  all. 

FAVILLO. 

I  thought  you  were  betroth'd. 

HERNANDO. 

True  ;  by  our  fathers,  at  an  early  age. 

FAVILLO. 

And  she  consents  1 

HERNANDO. 

The  bridal  day  is  fix'd. 
CARLOS. 

Consents,  my  loid?  How  could  you  ask  the  question? 
She  saw  him,  sir.     Consent  was  then  no  virtue. 

MENDOZA. 

Chatterling!     Hush! 

CARLOS. 

Look  you  !     I  wear  a  sword. 
[Exit. 

FAVILLO. 

A  forward  boy  ! — I  envy  you  your  lot,  sir: 
The  Lady  Izidora  is  most  fair. 

MENDOZA. 

Shall  we  attend  the  king? 


22  VELASCO.  [ACT  i. 

HERXANDO. 

Come  on,  Mendoza.     [Exeunt. 

FAVILLO. 

Now,  were  I  only  younger  by  a  score 

Or  two  of  years,  that  laggard  should  not  win 

So  fair  and  rich  a  prize  as  Izidora. 

And  she  forsakes  the  lover  for  the  brother  ! 

Strange  wooing  this  ! 

(Enter  two  Ladies.) 

Ladies,  your  servant  ever. 
Shall  I  be  your  conductor?  [Offering  his  arm. 

FIRST  LADY. 

Is  he  come? 

SECOND  LADV. 

Wears  he  his  vizor  yet? 

FIRST  LADY. 

What  is  he  like? 

SECOND  LADY. 

Complexion  light  or  dark?     Whatcolour'd  hair? 

FIRST  LADY. 

Is  he  not  handsome? 

SECOND  LADY. 

Tell  us,  are  his  eyes 
The  true  Castilian  brown? 

FIRST  LADY. 

What  sort  of  features? 
[Exeunt  omncs,  talking'  incessantly. 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  23 

(Enter  Julio  and  Izidora.) 
JULIO. 

Now,  by  the  faith  of  knighthood,  sister  mine, 
This  unknown  and  redoubted  cavalier 
With  the  barr'd  vizor,  seems  to  have  usurp'd 
The  empire  of  thy  fancy  and  thy  heart. 

IZIDORA. 

Alas  !  a  wider  empire  should  be  his. 

He  must  be  youthful,  Julio,  handsome,  noble  ? 

Why  does  he  hide  his  face  behind  a  vizor? 

JULIO. 

Oh  !  how  a  little  mystery  will  pique 
Thy  sex's  wonder  and  let  loose  surmise. 
In  sterling  prose,  he  hides  his  face,  most  like, 
To  hide  his  ugliness. 

IZIDORA. 

That  cannot  be  ! 

They  say,  and  I  believe,  that  he  has  made 
An  oath  to  mask  his  face  from  human  eyes, 
Till  he  shall  find  the  lady  of  his  heart. 

JULIO. 
Nay;  he  has  proved  himself  no  carpet  knight. 

IZIDORA. 

No  carpet  knight  indeed  !     It  must  have  been 
A  brave  scene — -his  first  entrance  to  the  field  ! 
Our  routed  troops  were  flying  in  dismay 
Before  the  turban'd  Moors,  when  from  the  gloom 
Of  a  green  thicket  rush'd  a  mounted  knight! 
His  charger,  white  as  snow — his  battle-axe 
Poised  in  his  right  hand,  while  his  left  uprear'd 
The  Christian  ensign  blazoning  the  cross  ! 


24  VELASCO.  [ACT  i. 

And,  as  he  spurr'd  his  steed,  he  cried  aloud  : 
"  Castile  and  Freedom  !"     Then  arose  the  shout 
From  the  awed  soldiers,  check'd  in  their  retreat  t 
*'  A  miracle  !  a  messenger  from  Heaven 
Fights  with  us  J     To  the  charge  !  a  Santiago  I" 
One  thrill  of  inspiration  heaved  their  hearts. 
They  folio  w'd  him  through  seas  of  blood  and  carnage ; 
And,  ere  the  sun  set,  the  masked  cavalier 
Had  fought  the  battle  and  redeem'd  the  field  !— 
Nay,  do  not  laugh  at  me» 

JULIO. 

He  will  not  need 

A  herald's  clamorous  voice  to  sound  his  praises, 
Nor  the  soft  numbers  of  a  troubadour, 
While  thou  shall  live  to  be  his  chronicler! 
I  should  be  jealous  now,  were  I  Hernando* 
So  scornful  at  the  mention  of  his  name  ! 
Thou  lov'st  thy  kinsman  ? 

IZIDOftA. 

Tell  me  what  love  is  ; 
And,  in  all  candour,  I  will  answer  thee. 

JULIO. 

A  cloud  steep'd  in  the  sunshine  !     An  illusion, 
On  which  concentrate  Passion's  fiercest  rays  ! 
Your  Lover's  little  better  than  a  Pagan  : 
On  the  heart's  shrine  he  rears  a  human  idol ; 
Imagination  heightens  every  charm, 
Brings  down  celestial  attributes  to  clothe  it, 
And  dupes  the  willing  soul,  until,  at  length, 
He  kneels  unto  a  creature  of  the  brain — 
A  bright  abstraction  !     But  the  cynic,  Time, 
Who  holds  the  touchstone  to  immortal  TRUTH, 
Soon  laughs  him  out  of  the  prodigious  folly  ! 
Say  ;  art  thou  one  of  these  idolaters  ? 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  25 


IZ1DORA. 


'Tis  very  plain  to  me,  I  never  loved  ; 
And  least  of  all,  Hernando.     Trust  me,  Julio, 
I  ne'er  shall  be  the  Pagan  you  describe 
If  I  depend  on  him  for  my  conversion. 


JULIO. 


'Twere  best,  perhaps  ! — But  didst  thou  never  love  ? 
Is  there  no  flaw,  no  dent  upon  thy  heart? 
Did  ne'er  a  random  arrow  even  graze  it  ? 

IZIDORA. 

Dost  thou  remember  in  our  childhood,  Julio, 
A  dark-hair'd  boy — the  foremost  in  our  sports — 
De  Lerma's  son — what  was  his  name  ? 

JULIO. 

Velasco. 
IZIDORA. 

Velasco.     When  the  feud  between  our  fathers 

Disparted  us,  we  lost  a  welcome  playmate. 

For  years  we  did  not  meet.     "When  last  I  saw  him, 

'Twas  as  he  went  forth  to  his  banishment ; 

And  mail'd  in  armour,  he  was  on  his  steed. 

He  saw  me ;  smiled,  as  I  shall  ne'er  forget, 

And  bending  to  his  saddle-bows,  rode  on  : — 

I  watch'd  him  till  my  eyes  were  dim  with  tears  ! 

JULIO. 

Prithee,  what  inference  wouldst  have  me  draw 
From  this  pathetic  story  ? 

IZIDORA.. 

Inference  ? 

Nothing — it  cross'd  my  mind — I  know  not  why- 
It  is  a  pity  he  has  join'd  the  Moors. 
C 


56  VELASCO.  [ACT  i. 


JULIO. 

Oh  !  thou  capricious  !     But  a  moment  since, 

The  vizor'd  knight  claim'd  all  thy  Fancy's  dreams, 

And  now — 

1ZIDORA. 

Ah  !  'tis  a  noble  champion  ! 
I  have  not  waver'd  in  my  admiration. 
Happy  the  fair  dame,  at  whose  feet  he  kneels  f 

(Carlos  enters,  and  is  crossing  the  stage.) 

JULIO. 
Carlos  !  Boy  !  Page  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Don  Carlos  T 
CARLOS,  (turning  abruptly.) 

That's  my  name. 
Lady,  I  shall  be  honour'd  in  your  service. 

IZIDORA. 

Is  he  arrived — the  cavalier  ? 

CARLOS,  (with  dignity.) 

No,  Lady. 

(Aside.) — They  think  of  nothing  but  the  cavalier, 
And  will  not  waste  a  single  smile  on  me. 
The  cavalier  !     Ha,  ha  !  a  man  ashamed 
To  show  his  face — I'm  not  afraid  of  him.         [Exit. 

JULIO. 
Shall  we  not  in,  to  see  the  festal  show  ? 

IZIDORA. 

He  is  not  there  !     Why  should  we  be  in  haste  ? 

[A  trumpet  sounds  sharply. 
He  comes  !  he  comes  !     It  was  his  trumpet  peal ! 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  27 

JULIO. 

How  know  you  it  for  his  ? 

IZIDORA. 

It  was  a  note 


So  clear  and  bold  ! 


JULIO. 


Why,  how  thy  heart  is  beating. 
Come  !  we'll  not  lose  the  pageant  of  his  entry. 

[Exeunt. 


SCENE  III. 

A  Hall  of  State. 

The  King1  on  his  throne,  surrounded  by  his  Court, 
among  whom  are  De  Lerma,  Gonzalez,  Hernando, 
Famllo,  Ladies,  <$/-c.  Julio  and  Izidora  enter  and 
'mingle  with  the  groups.  A  flourish  as  the  scene 
opens. 

FERDINAND.    (Rising.) 

He  has  our  answer  to  his  welcome  signal. 
How  on  our  army  broke  that  trumpet  voice, 
When  he  rose  up  before  our  flying  hosts, 
And  cried  "  a  rescue  !" 

[Trumpet  from  without  sounds  twice. 

FAVILLO. 

He  is  here,  my  liege. 

{Enter  with  vizor  closed,  Velasco.     He  kneels  to  the 
King.) 


28  YELASCO.  [ACT  i. 

FERDINAND. 

Rise  up,  sir  knight — no  vassal,  but  our  friend. 

VELASCO.  (rising.) 
My  gracious  sovereign  ! 

FERDINAND. 

Nobles  of  Castile! 

It  needs  no  commendation  of  our  own 
To  gild  bis  fame,  or  to  confirm  bis  welcome : 
We  hail  him  as  his  country's  well-tried  soldier, 
And  her  just  pride. 

VELASCO. 

Could  I  believe,  my  liege, 
Your  praises  were  not  the  unbidden  impulse 
Of  a  too  partial  kindness,  I  should  be 
Elated  on  the  wings  of  conscious  glory  ; 
But  the  poor  bark  freighted  with  my  deserts, 
Too  light  a  ballast  has,  to  carry  sail 
Before  the  fameward  breath  of  your  applause. 

(Enter  Carlos.) 

CARLOS. 

My  liege,  a  messenger  without,  from  Rome, 
Claims  instant  access. 

FERDINAND. 

Let  him  be  admitted. 

(Enter  a  Messenger  in  the  livery  of  the  Pope.  He 
delivers  papers,  which  the  King  peruses.  Velasco 
goes  toward  De  Lerma,  but  abruptly  checks  him 
self,  and  bows  profoundly.) 

DE    LERMA. 

Sir  knight,  you  leave  no  vantage-ground  for  envy, 
If  with  so  meek  a  grace  you  wear  you  laurels. 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  29 


PEKDINAND.  (rising  in  great  agitation.) 

No,  no  !  it  shall  not  be  !  the  Pope  once  more 
Urges  upon  us  his  presumptuous  mandate, 
That  we  shall  bow  the  neck  to  Germany, 
And  hold  our  crown  as  Henry's  willing  vassal. 
We'll  send  our  answer  back. 

[Exit  Messenger. 
Affairs  of  moment 

Claim  the  immediate  hearing  of  our  council. 
Pardon  us  for  a  while,  sir  knight.     My  lords  ! 
On  to  the  hall  of  council  ! 

[Exit  Ferdinand,  followed  by  De  Lerma,  Gon 
zalez,  Julio,  and  lords.  Izidora  goes  up  the 
stage  followed  by  Hernando.  The  groups 
gradually  disperse. 

VELASCO.  (to  Favillo.) 

If  I  err  not, 
It  is  the  daughter  of  the  Count  Gonzalez  ? 

FAVILLO. 

You're  right,sir.  One  would  note  her/mong  a  thousand. 

VELASCO. 
She's  passing  fair. 

FAVILLO. 

Look  you,  she  turns  away, 
As  conscious  of  our  notice.     'Tis  a  pity 
She  weds  that  recreant  kinsman  by  her  side. 

VELASCO. 
Weds  him  ?     Hernando  ?     Can  she  love  him,  sir  ? 

FAVILLO. 

Love  him  ?     She's  been  instructed  to  regard  him 
As  her  intended  lord,  but  as  for  love — 
C  2 


30  VELASCO.  [ACT  ir 


VELASCO. 


A  cruel  fate  !     They  come  this  way  again. 
Now  could  you  help  me  to  an  audience — 


FAVILLO. 


If  there  be  any  virtue  in  my  wand, 
Thy  wish  shall  be  complied  with. 

Don  Hernando, 
Touching  the  subject  of  our  late  discourse — 

[Exit,  leading  him. 


VELASCO. 


Fair  Izidora,  might  1  claim  from  thee 

A  moment's  converse,  it  would  be  more  prized 

Than  all  the  honours  Fate  has  heap'd  upon  me. 


IZIDORA. 


Sir  Knight;  we  knew  of  thy  transcendent  valour: 
We  did  not  know  thy  gallantry  kept  pace, 
In  its  excess,  with  thy  superior  virtue. 


VELASCO. 


Gallantry,  lady  ?     'Tis  too  cold  a  word. 
Devotion  is  a  better,  where  thou  art. 

IZIDORA. 

Nay,  tell  me  of  thy  battles  and  thy  perils. 

Dost  thou  not  sigh  already  for  the  gleam 

Of  hostile  steel — the  neigh  of  pawing  chargers — 

The  cymbal's  clash,  the  trumpet's  thrilling  shriek  ? 

VELASCO. 

I  have  encounter'd  perils  ere  to-day, 
But  never  one  so  imminent  as  that 
"Which  bids  me  now  surrender.     I  have  seen 
The  Moorish  army  in  their  bright  array, 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  31 

Send  back  the  sun-shafts  brighter  than  they  fell : 

But  not  the  sheen  of  all  their  scimetars, 

In  one  small  point  concentred,  could  eclipse 

A  single  ray  shot  from  those  lustrous  eyes. 

Nay,  turn  not  from  me,  lady.     I  have  heard 

The  neigh  of  steeds — the  trumpet's  thrilling  note — 

They  cannot  stir  my  heart  like  thy  sweet  voice  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Is't  not  the  common  rhetoric  of  the  court 

That  thou  hast  cull'd  for  me  ?     Think'st  I  believe 

I  am  the  first  to  whom  it  has  been  offered  ? 

VELASCO. 

Ah,  lady  !  poorly  can  the  heart  disguise, 
In  flippant  Fancy's  garniture  of  words, 
Its  true  emotion.     Love's  a  sorry  masker. 

IZIDORA. 

Then  Love  bears  no  similitude  to  thee. 
'Twas  of  the  wars  we  spake. 

VELASCO. 

Enough  of  them. 

Oh  !  ne'er  did  mariner  long  toss'd  at  sea, 
With  no  benignant  star  to  point  his  course, 
Hail  with  more  rapture  the  first  gleam  of  land, 
Than  I  from  War's  seam'd  visage  and  wild  glance, 
Turn  to  the  blue  eyes  of  maternal  peace  ! 
Oh  !   not  the  joyous  shout  of  victory 
Was  e'er  to  me  so  grateful  as  the  sight, 
Which  the  declining  sun  this  day  revealed. 

TZIDORA. 

What  sight? 

VELASCO. 

My  boyhood's  fair  and  happy  home  I 


32  VELASCO.  [ACT  t. 

The  past  again  was  mine  ;  and  memory 

Did  seem  reality.     I  thought  of  her, 

Whose  childish  beauty  so  enthrall'd  my  heart ! 

IZIDORA. 
Of  her?  Of  whom? 

VELASCO. 

Alas  !     I  must  forget. 

But  thou  shall  hear  my  story  :  we  were  playmates 
In  the  confiding  hours  of  early  youth. 
I  was  the  mimic  champion  of  her  wrongs, 
And  with  my  shield  and  lance  I  rescued  her 
From  many  a  fabled  giant.     Ah  !  those  days  ! 
At  length  a  feud  broke  out  between  our  fathers  ; 
And  we  were  parted — but  I  kept  the  faith, 
Which  in  my  boyish  earnestness  I  swore  : 
She  was  my  paragon,  my  dream  of  joy  ! 
Years  past.     I  went  forth  to  my  country's  wars, 
Dreaming  of  fame,  but  as  a  galliard's  wreath, 
To  grace  me  in  her  eyes.     When  I  return'd 
She — false  one  ! — was  betroth'd  unto  another  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Velasco  ! 

VELASCO. 

Hush  !     Betray  me  not.     The  king  ! 
[  They  retire  up  the  stage,  conversing. 

(Re-enter  Ferdinand,  Julio,  Gonzalez,  De  Lerma^ 
and  Lords ;  and  in  another  direction,  Favillo,  Her* 
nando,  Carlos,  Ladies,  fyc. 

FERDINAND. 

Julio  !  with  all  despatch  thou  wilt  prepare 
To  be  our  envoy  to  the  court  of  Rome. 

[Exit  Julio  i 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  33 

Sir  knight,  we've  cut  the  Gordian  knot  of  counsel 
To  play  the  host  to  thee.     Hast  thou  no  boon 
To  crave,  within  our  royal  power  to  grant  ? 
Unless  thou  proudly  wouldst  refuse  to  cancel 
A  portion  of  the  countless  debt  we  owe  thee, 
Give  us  the  clew  whereby  our  gratitude 
May  lead  unto  the  dear  wish  of  thy  heart. 

VELASCO. 

Behold  it  here,  my  liege  !          [Pointing  to  Izidora. 

Could  thy  decree 

Make  this  fair  hand  mine  own,  I  should  be  blest 
Beyond  requital  in  a  gift  so  rich. 

FERDINAND. 

A  gallant  boon  !     We'll  be  thine  intercessor. 

Gonzalez,    speak  1    thou  wilt  not  thwart  our  wish  ? 
GONZALEZ. 

The  Lady  Izidora  is  affianced 

Already  to  her  kinsman,  Don  Hernando. 

FERDINAND. 

Wouldst  thou  constrain  her  choice  ?  and,  Don  Her 
nando, 

Wouldst  thon  take  to  thee  a  reluctant  bride  ? 
Knighthood  forbid  !  Gonzalez,  listen  to  us  : 
We  will  not  speak  of  favours  shower'd  upon  thee, 
Of  injuries  forgiven  :  but,  in  justice, 
Say,  dost  thou  leave  thy  daughter  free  to  choose  ? 

GONZALEZ. 
My  liege,  I  do. 

FERDINAND. 

Bear  witness  to  it,  all  ! 
Now  Izidora,  use  thy  privilege  : 


34  VELASCO.  [ACT  i. 

Choose  as  thy  heart  may  dictate. 

[She  gives  her  hand  to  Velasco. 
It  is  well ! 


VELASCO. 


My  liege,  thou  hast  endear'd  me  to  thee  ever  ; 
Now  that  the  occasion  for  disguise  is  past, 
I  will  repay  thy  courtesy. 

[Advances  and  uncloses  his  vizor. 


FERDINAND. 

Velasco  ! 

DE  LERMA. 

My  son  ! 

GONZALEZ.  (Aside.) 

The  heir  of  my  detested  foe  ! 
It  is  unnatural !     It  must  not  be  ! 

FERDINAND. 

Velasco  !  thou  art  welcome — this  surprise 
Has  pluck'd  away  the  only  sharp  regret 
That  rankled  in  our  breast.      Let  music  hail 
The  lost  one  found,  the  banish'd  one  return'd  ; 
On  !  to  the  banquet-room  !     There  will  we  pledge 
Joy  to  this  fair  alliance  !     May  the  stars 
Shed  their  auspicious  influence  upon  it ! 

[A  flourish.  Exit  Ferdinand,  followed  by  all  ex 
cept  Hernando  and  Mendoza,  who  retire  in  an 
opposite  direction. 

END    OF    ACT    FIRST. 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  35 


A  C  T  1 1. 

SCENE     I. 

Before  the  Royal  Palace. 

(Enter  Favillo  and  Carlos.) 

FAVILLO. 

Cease  flouting,  boy ;  'tis  not  for  thee  to  laugh — 
And  yet,  I  know  not  why  thou  shouldst  be  stinted. 
'Twas  a  most  rare,  unlook'd-for  counterplot. 
Ha,  ha  !  poor  Don  Hernando  ! 

CARLOS. 

Santiago  ! 

Were  I  so  ousted  from  my  lady's  favour, 
Though  by  the  fiercest  knight  in  Christendom, 
I'd  brain  him — 'Sdeath  !     I'd  teach  him  the  passado. 
(Laughing)    Look  there  !  he  comes — the  flower  of 

chivalry ! 
Hernando,  with  the  man  that's  not  his  father. 

FAVILLO. 

Be  quiet,  Carlos.    Show  some  reverence. 

(Enter  Gonzalez  and  Hernando.) 

Give  you  good  morrow,  gentlemen.     Gonzalez ! 
Commend  me  to  your  daughter.     Is  she  well? 

GONZALEZ. 

I  left  her  sOj  Favillo. 

CARLOS. 
May  I  ask, 


36  VELASCO.  [ACT  n. 

My  lord,  without  presumption,  wh^n  her  nuptials 
Are  likely  to  take  place  ? 

GONZALEZ. 

The  king  has  ordered 
Their  celebration  the  next  holyday. 

CARLOS. 
So  soon  !  ah  !  happy  bridegroom  !  beauteous  bride  ! 

FAVILLO. 

My  lord,  I  give  you  joy  of  the  alliance, 
Walk  you  in  the  direction  of  the  palace  ? 

GONZALEZ. 

The  opposite,  Favillo. 

FAVILLO. 

Fare  you  well. 

(Carlos  is  about  to  say  something1  to  Hernando. 
Favillo  draws  him  away  and  exit  with  him.) 

GONZALEZ. 

Hernando,  th.ou  hast  set  me  an  example 

Of  meek  forbearance,  I  should  strive  to  follow  : 

Like  thee,  I'll  make  a  virtue  of  compulsion. 

HERNANDO. 

It  is  the  part  of  wisdom. 

GONZALEZ. 

By  our  lady, 

You  take  it  coolly,  sir.     Now,  for  myself, 
Had  I  been  so  discarded  in  behalf 
Of  a  more  favour'd  suitor,  my  resentment 
Had  burst  in  flames  around  him — my  revenge — 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  37 

HERNANDO. 

Revenge  !     Ha,  ha  !  revenge  ! 

GONZALEZ. 

It  rouses  thee  ? 
HERNANDO. 

Oh  no  !  you  see,  I  laugh  at  it,  my  lord. 
There's  no  revenge  can  find  a  harbouf  here. 

GONZALEZ. 

I  do  believe  thee,  kinsman  ;  thou  art  bless'd 

In  a  forgiving  and  an  equal  temper  : 

And  when  I  see  with  what  philosophy 

This  loss  is  borne  by  thee,  I  am  disarm'd 

Of  half  of  my  objections  to  the  choice 

My  daughter  made.    Farewell.    Go,  till  the  ground  ; 

Get  thee  a  shepherd's  crook;  and,  prithee,  pardon 

The  rustic  who  may  rob  thee  of  thy  Phyllis. 

[Exit. 

HERNANDO 

Scoff  on,  my  lord,  while  yet  thou  hast  the  breath. 
Short-sighted  fool !     He  thinks,  because  I  rave  not. 
Clenching  my  hands  or  smiting  my  hot  brow, 
That  the  barb  does  not  rankle.     True  revenge 
Is  patient  as  the  watchful  alchymist, 
Sagacious  as  the  blood-hound  on  the  scent, 
Secret  as  death  ! 

(Enter  Mendoza.) 
Mendoza  ?     From  the  palace  1 

MENDOZA. 

Ay,  from  the  palace;  where  dispute  runs  high 
Upon  De  Lerma's  counsel  to  the  king, 
Touching  the  Pope's  new  mandate. 
D 


460070 


38  VELASCO.  [ACT  ir. 


HERNANDO. 


Am  I  right  ? 
De  Lerma  spurn'd  the  mandate  ? 

MENDOZA. 

And  Gonzalez, 
'Tis  said,  is  for  submission  to  the  Pope. 

HERNANDO. 

Mendoza  !  we  can  trust  not  to  Gonzalez 
For  farther  opposition  to  these  nuptials  : 
We're  thrown  upon  ourselves. 

MENDOZA. 

What's  to  be  done  ? 

HERNANDO. 

'Tis  forming  in  my  brain — the  embryo  vengeance  ! 

Mis-shapen  yet  it  lies  and  indistinct, 

But  fast  matures — and  now  the  mist  scales  off 

From  its  appalling  lineaments  ;  and  there 

Reveal'd  it  stands,  an  invocated  fiend  ! 

Folly  !  Come  on,  Mendoza.     Thou  shaltknow. 

[Exeunt. 


SCENE  II. 

An  apartment  in  the  mansion  of  Gonzalez. 

(Enter  Julio,  dressed  as  for  a  journey ;  followed  by 
a  Servant.) 

JULIO. 
Let  the  train  move  on  by  the  eastern  road. 


SCENE   IT.]  VELASCO.  39 

I  will  o'ertake  them  before  many  leagues 

Are  placed  between  us.  [Exit  Servant. 

Why  do  I  delay  ? 
What  means  this  dark  presentiment  of  ill  ? 

(Enter  Gonzalez.) 

GONZALEZ. 

Not  yet  upon  the  road  !     I  thought  thee  gone. 
Why  dost  thou  tarry  ?     Art  not  all  equipp'd  ! 
Thy  steeds  caparison'd  ?     Attendants  ready? 

JULIO. 

Ay,  father  ;  and  the  morning  shines  propitious. 
But  there's  a  boding  raven  at  my  heart. 
What  says  Hernando? 

GONZALEZ. 

Out  upon  him,  Julio  ! 
He  is  submissire  as  a  priest-led  lamb. 

JULIO. 
'Tis  that  submissiveness  which    makes  me  fear  him. 

GONZALEZ. 

Fear  him  !     He  is  an  inoffensive  craven  ! 

JULIO. 
There's  mischief  in  his  looks. 

GONZALEZ. 

Be  sure  then,  Julio, 
It  will  not  venture  farther  than  his  looks. 

JULIO. 

I  know  not  that :  disguised  beneath  a  smile, 
It  may  be  bold  enough  to  play  th'  assassin. 


40  VELASCO.  [ACT  n. 


GONZALEZ. 


Nay  ;  its  own  shadow  would  affright  it  so, 
It  would  recoil  and  leave  the  work  undone. 

JULIO. 

Well ;  have  a  care.     And  now,  before  we  part, 
One  word  of  Izidora.     You  dispute  not 
The  choice  her  own  heart  and  the  king  have  made  ? 
Velasco,  sir,  is  brave  ? 

GONZALEZ. 

Ay  ;  he  has  proved  it. 


His  father,  too,  though  war-worn  and  in  years, 
Has  been  the  pattern  of  a  Christian  knight. 

GONZALEZ. 

There  is  no  Christian  reverence  in  his  heart ! 
This  very  moment,  Julio,  he  disputes 
The  sovereignty  the  German  emperor  claims 
Over  Castile — a  claim,  the  Pope  admits  ! 
De  Lerma  yet  withstands  the  will  of  Rome, 
Derides  its  menace  and  defies  its  thunder. 

JULIO. 

Impiety  !  and  yet  we  must  forego 
All  controverted  points  with  him,  my  father; 
Since  this  alliance,  be't  for  good  or  ill, 
Between  our  houses  has  been  ratified, 
For  our  own  honour's  sake  and  Izidora's, 
No  provocation  must  revive  the  feud. 

GONZALEZ. 

Whom  wouldst  thou  caution,  sir? 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO. 


JULIO. 


Nay;  be  not  angei'd. 
I  spake  with  all  humility,  my  lord. 


GONZALEZ. 

Well,  Julio  ;  do  not  fear  but  I  have  reach'd 
Years  of  discretion.     Duty  calls  me  forth. 
Farewell!  my  blessing  speed  thee  on  thy  journey. 

[Exit. 

JULIO. 

Stay,  father  !    Gone  !    Should  we  ne'er  meet  again  ! 

I  fear  his  sudden  and  remorseless  temper  ! 

And  Izidora — when  I  parted  from  her, 

Why  did  that  sickening  premonition  start 

Into  my  brain,  and  weigh  on  me,  as  if 

Some  inner,  finer  sense  had  felt  the  pang 

Of  a  sharp  agony  which  was  to  come. 

She  seem'd  too  happy — a  delighted  thing, 

Just  on  the  margent  of  life's  sunny  stream  ! 

She  comes. 

(Enter  Izidora.) 
You  see  I'm  yet  a  loiterer. 

IZIDORA. 

'Tis  well  thou  art ;  for  [  would  ask  thee,  Julio, 
Why,  when  we  parted,  thou  didst  seem  so  sad? 
Thy  last  farewell  was  utter'd  in  such  tones, 
As  breaking  heart-strings  might  have  given  forth. 
'Twas  not  the  common  grief  of  parting,  Julio  ; 
For  hitherto,  when  at  the  trumpet's  call, 
Thou  hast  gone  forth  to  battle,  in  thine  eyes, 
A  sunny  hope  has  danced  ;  but  now  a  tear 
Breaks  from   its  rayless  gloom.      What  means  it, 
brother  ? 

D2 


42  VELASCO.  [ACT  ir. 


JULIO. 

Alas  !  I  never  yet  have  parted  from  thee 
With  the  sad  thought,  that  ere  we  met  again 
Thou  wouldst  be  all  another's — never  more 
The  gay,  free-hearted,  fond,  and  careless  girl, 
Whose  laugh  in  bower  and  hall  was  sweetest  music. 
Is  not  the  thought  well  worth  a  casual  tear  ? 

IZIDORA. 

Why  should  I  be  less  happy  or  less  fond  ? 

The  influences  of  all  outward  things — 

The  sky,  the  sunshine,  and  the  vernal  earth, 

Beauty  and  song — will  they  not  be  the  same  ? 

Ah  !  there  are  spirits  in  this  fretful  world 

Which  grow  not  old  and  change  not  with  the  seasons. 

JULIO. 

Oh  !  let  not  that  assure  thee.     Time,  my  sister, 
Is  not  content  with  marring  outward  charms  ; 
His  deepening  furrows  reach  the  spirit's  core. 
They  spoil  the  soul  of  many  an  airy  grace — 
Hope's  gilded  temples  sink  beneath  his  touch  ; 
Joy's  buds  of  promise  wither  at  his  frown  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Now,  out  upon  this  sullen  humour,  brother ! 
Have  done,  or  I,  in  sooth,  shall  wish  thee  gone — 
Ah  no  !  not  gone  !  but  I  would  have  thee  glad, 
Even  though  from  me  thou  goest  far  away. 

JULIO.  (Regarding  her  steadfastly.) 

I  see  it  now — now,  in  that  earnest  smile — 

Now,  in  the  pallor  of  that  tranquil  brow — 

The  doom,  the  curse  !     Heaven  shield  thee,  Izidora  ! 

Farewell !  farewell !  [Rushes  out. 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  43 


IZIDORA. 

Oh!  do  not  leave  me  thus, 

Julio  !     'Tis  very  strange.     He  made  me  tremble  ; 
And,  as  his  eyes  glared  on  me,  they  appear'd 
Lit  with  the  conscious  fire  of  prophecy. 

(Enter  Velasco.) 
Didst  see  my  brother  ?     Is  he  gone,  Velasco  ? 

VELASCO. 

Impetuous  in  his  haste,  he  has  departed. 
He  sprang  into  his  saddle — waved  his  hand 
In  token  of  farewell ;  then  at  full  speed, 
Follow'd  his  train  along  the  winding  road. 
You  parted  kindly  ? 

IZIDORA. 

He  was  strangely  moved  ; 
Wherefore  I  know  not. 

VELASCO. 

He  has  left  thee  sad. 
IZIDORA. 

And  full  of  wonder.     What  could  be  the  cause 
Of  such  a  sudden  frenzy  ?     He  would  stay — 
Poor  Julio  !  he  would  stay  to  see  our  nuptials  : 
That  must  have  been  his  motive. 

VELASCO. 

Thinkst  thou  so  ? 

Our  nuptials,  Izidora  !     Oh  !  speed  on, 
Ye  lagging  hours  that  would  defer  their  date  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Dost  thou  not  recollect,  when  first  we  knew 
The  well-kept  secret  of  each  other's  heart, 


44  VELASCO.  [ACT  n. 

I  shudder'd  at  the  frowning  obstacles, 

Which  intervened  between  our  sever'd  fates? 

What  doubts  and  fears  and  anxious  fantasies 

Clouded  our  sky,  Velasco?     Now,  a  breath 

Has  clear'd  Hope's  blue  horizon  ;  and  we  see 

Nor  rock  nor  quicksand,  which  can  threaten  wreck. 

Ah  !  will  the  prize  so  lightly  won  be  prized  ? 

VELASCO. 

Above  all  earthly  treasures  !  for  to  me, 
Thou'rt  the  fulfilment  of  the  brightest  dreams 
Of  young  romance — the  goal  on  which  my  hopes 
Fall  down  and  rest.     But  we  must  part  awhile. 
I  go  to  seek  my  father. 

IZIDORA. 

Dost  remember, — 

A  favourite  haunt  with  us  in  former  days, — 
A  spot,  the  peasants  call,  King  Roderick's  glen  ? 
I  shall  be  there  by  twilight. 

VELASCO. 

Not  alone  ! 

There  from  all  sides  shall  start  bright  recollections, 
And  Hope  shall  catch  new  lustre  from  the  past. 

IZIDORA. 

The  present !     Oh  !  the  present !     'Tis  so  bright, 
Mem'ry  can  lend  no  ladiance  from  the  Past, 
Hope  can  reflect  no  glory  from  the  Future ! 

[Exeunt. 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  45 


SCENE  III. 

A  street  in  Burgos. 
(Enter  Gonzalez  and  Hernando.) 

GONZALEZ. 

Nay  ;  do  not  fret  me  with  ambiguous  hints. 

We  spake  of  old  De  Lerma  ;  and  you  said, 

It  was  the  dotard's  privilege  to  slander. — 

To  slander  whom?  the  king?  yourself?  myself? 

You  signify  no  negative  to  that. 

What  is't,  Hernando  ?     Speak  with  more  direction. 

HERNANDO. 

My  lord,  you  must  forgive  me.     Press  me  not 
To  more  disclosures — for  my  peace  and  thine. 

GONZALEZ. 

Well,  well ;  'twere  better  that  it  should  not  be. 
De  Lerma  and  myself  must  soon  be  fathers 
To  the  same  children. 

HERNANDO. 

That  shall  curb  my  speech. 
Let  base  Detraction  slur  thy  honour'd  name  ; 
Can  I  regard  thee  as  less  brave  or  loyal, 
Though  others  prate  of  cowardice  and  treason ! 

GONZALEZ. 

Those  words  were  never  coupled  with  my  name  ? 

HERNANDO. 

It  happen'd  thus  :  Dispute  was  running  high 


46  VELASCO.  [ACT  n. 

Upon  the  German  Emperor's  new  pretensions; 

Some  did  admit  them  ;  but  De  Lerma  cried  : 

"  If  Henry  claim  dominion  o'er  Castile, 

Let  him  prove  good  his  title  by  the  sword  ! 

And  cursed  be  the  cravens  and  the  traitors, 

Who  would  submit  to  such  a  vassalage  !" 

"  There  are  good  men  and  true,"  was  my  reply, 

"  Who  favour  his  pretensions." — "  No,  not  one  !" — 

"What  sayst  thou  to  Gonzalez?" 


He  did  not  dare — 


GONZALEZ. 

Ah  !  what  then  ? 

HERNANDO. 


Ay,  kinsman ;  he  did  dare 
To  stigmatize  thee  as  a  craven  traitor. 


GONZALEZ. 


Heniando  !  if  thou  play'st  me  false,  thy  life 
Shall  be  an  immolation  to  my  fury  ! 

[Seizes  him  and  looks  intently  in  his  face. 


HERNANDO. 


I  can  bring  proofs,  my  lord.     Nay  ;  is  this  courteous  ? 
Well :  gives  my  face  the  lie  to  my  assertion  ? 


GONZALEZ. 


How  couldst  thou  .dare,  even  in  repetition, 
To  breathe  those  words  of  me? 

HEUNANDO. 

My  lord,  forbear. 
'Twas  zeal  for  thine  own  honour  made  me  bold. 

GONZALEZ. 
Zeal  for  mine  honour  !     Venom  of  thy  soul ! 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  47 


HERNANDO. 

Hold  !  if  thou  dost  not  shrink  from  actual  proof, 
Here  comes  De  Lerma  ;  charge  it  home  on  him. 
If  he  deny  it,  spurn  me  as  thou  wilt. 

GONZALEZ. 

Leave  me. 

HERNANDO.  (aside.) 

The  spark  has  caught !  it  kindles  fast : 
The  conflagration  blood  alone  can  quench  ! 

[Exit. 

GONZALEZ. 

Should  it  prove  true  !    He  comes  !    I  must  keep  down 
These  throes  of  passion. 

(De  Lerma  enters,  and  is  crossing.) 

Sir  !  a  word  with  you. 

DE  LERMA. 

I  am  a  listener — an  impatient  one — - 

'Twere  best  that  this  encounter  should  be  brief. 

GONZALEZ. 

This  haughtiness  !     My  lord,  the  king,  'tis  said, 
Refuses  to  admit  the  Emperor's  claim. 

DE  LERMA. 

Thank  heaven  the  king's  no  recreant,  no  coward, 
But  a  Castilian,  heart  and  hand,  my  lord  : 
Would  I  might  say  the  same  of  all  his  subjects. 

GONZALEZ. 

Throw'st_thou  the  taunt  OH  me? 

DE  LEFMA. 

Wherefore  this  rage, 
If  thou  art  innocent? 


48  VELASCO.  [ACT  n. 


GONZALEZ. 

De  Lerma  !     Dotard  ! 
(Half  unsheaths  his  sword,  but  instantly  dashes  it 

into  the  scabbard.) 

No,  no  !  thou'rt  old  and  feeble  ;  and  our  children — 
Oh  !  do  not  tamper  with  my  desperation ! 
(In  a  sudden  burst  of  passion.)    Retract  what  thou 
hast  said  ! 

DE  LERMA. 

Not,  while  the  proofs 
Appear  even  now  in  all  thy  looks  and  actions. 

GONZALEZ. 

'Tis  false  !     Thou  urgest  me  to  frenzy — thus  ! 
(Strikes  him.)     It  will  find  vent! 

DE  LERMA. 

A  blow  !  dishonour'd  !  struck  ! 
(Draws.)     Defend  thyself,  ere  I  commit  a  murder. 

GONZALEZ. 

With  thee  I'll  not  contend  :  thy  arm  is  nerveless. 
The  odds  are  too  unequal. 

DE   LERMA. 

Then  I  rush 
Upon  thee  as  thou  art. 

(As  De  Lerma  rushes  upon  him,  Gonzalez  wrests 
away  his  sword,  and  throws  it  upon  the  ground.) 

GONZALEZ. 

I  spare  thy  life. 

DE  LEHMA. 

Oh  !  spare  it  not,  if  mercy  thou  wouldst  show. 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  49 

Thou  givest  me  back  only  what  thou  hast  made 

A  misery,  a  burthen,  a  disgrace  ! 

It  is  a  gift,  for  which  I  cannot  thank  thee. 

GONZALEZ. 

Keep  it,  my  lord ;  and  let  this  lesson  teach, 
What  thy  gray  hairs  have  fail'd  to  bring  thee — pru 
dence.  [Exit. 

DE  LERMA.  (taking  up  his  sword.) 

Thou  treacherous  steel !  art  thou  the  same,  alas  ! 
Of  yore  so  crimson'd  in  the  Moorish  wars  ? 
Methinks  there  should  have  been  a  soul  in  thee, 
The  soul  of  victories  and  great  achievements, 
To  form  a  living  instrument  of  vengeance, 
And,  in  the  weakness  of  thy  master's  arm, 
To  leap  spontaneous  to  his  honour's  rescue. 
Go !  'tis  a  mockery  to  wear  thee  now. 

[  Throws  down  his  sword. 
Struck  like  a  menial !  buffeted  !  degraded  ! 
And  baffled  in  my  impotent  attack  ! 
Oh  Fate  !  Oh  Time  !     Why,  when  ye  took  away 
From  this  right  arm  its  cunning  and  its  strength, 
Its  power  to  shield  from  wrong,  or  to  redress, 
Did  ye  not  pluck  from  out  this  swelling  heart 
Its  torturing  sense  of  insult  and  of  shame  ? 
I  am  sunk  lower  than  the  lowest  wretch  ! 
Oh  !   that  the  earth  might  hide  me  !   that  I  might 
Sink  fathoms  deep  beneath  its  peaceful  breast ! 

[Retires  up  the  stage  and  leans  against  a  pillar. 

(Enter  Velasco.) 

VELASCO. 

The  peerless  Izidora!  how  my  thoughts, 
Swept  by  the  grateful  memory  of  her  love, 
Still  bend  to  her  like  flowers  before  the  breeze  I 
They  paint  her  image  on  vacuity — 
E 


50  VELASCO.  [ACT  u. 

They  make  the  air  melodious  with  her  voice  ! 
And  she — the  idol  of  my  boyhood's  dreams — 
Is  now  mine  own  betroth'd  !     Benignant  heavens  ! 
The  gulf  is  pass'd,  which  threaten'd  to  divide  us, 
And  the  broad  Future  uaobscured  expands  ! 

DE  LERMA.  (advancing] 
Oh  !  be  thy  vauntings  hush'd  ! 

VELASCO. 

My  father  here  ! 

There  is  distraction  in  thy  haggard  looks. 
Thou  art  not  well.     Let  me  support  thee  hence. 

DE  LERMA. 

It  is  no  corporal  ill  ! 

Art  thou  my  son  ? 

VELASCO. 
My  father  ! 

DE  LERMA. 

In  thy  feeble  childhood,  who 
Sustain'd  thee,  rear'd  thee,  and  protected  thee  ? 

VELASCO. 
It  was  thyself. 

DE  LERMA. 

And,  in  thy  forward  youth, 

Who  plumed  thy  soul  for  glory's  arduous  flight  ? 
Instructed  thee,  till  in  thy  martial  fame 
Thou  didst  eclipse  thy  master  ? 

VELASCO. 

Thou  alone  ! 

And  in  thy  waning  age,  this  arm  shall  be 
Thy  shield  and  thy  support? 


SCENE   III.]  VELASCO.  51 


1>E  LERMA. 

Thou  art  my  son  ! 
Velasco  !  from  a  haughty  ancestry 
We  claim  descent:  whose  glory  it  has  been, 
That  never  one  of  their  illustrious  line 
Was  tainted  with  dishonour.     Yesterday 
That  boast  was  true — it  is  no  longer  true  ! 

VELASCO. 

No  longer  true  !     Who  of  our  race,  my  lord, 
Has  proved  unworthy  of  the  name  he  bears? 

DE  LERMA. 

I  am  that  wretch. 

VELASCO. 
Thou  !  father  ! 

DE  LERMA. 

Ay.     I  thought 

Thou  wouldst  shrink  from  me  as  a  thing  accursed  ! 
*Tis  right — I  taught  thee — Thou  but  mind'st  my  dic 
tates — 

But  do  not  curse  me  ;  for  there  was  a  time, 
When  I  had  fell'd  him  lifeless  at  my  feet ! 
The  will  was  strong,  although  the  nerveless  arm 
Dropp'd  palsied  to  my  side. 


Explain  this  mystery. 


VELASCO. 

My  father  !  speak  ! 


DE  LERMA. 

I  have  been  struck  ; 


Degraded  by  a  vile  and  brutal  blow  ! 

Oh  !  thou  art  silent.     Thou  wilt  not  despise  me  ? 


VELASCO.  [ACT  ir. 


VELASCO. 

Who  was  the  rash  aggressor?     He  shall  die  ! 
Nay,  'twas  some  serf — there's  not  the  gentleman 
In  all  Castile  would  lay  an  unkind  hand 
Upon  thy  feebleness.     Then,  do  not  think 
Thyself  disgraced,  my  I'onnurable  father, 
More  than  if  smitten  by  a  lion's  claw, 
A  horse's  hool — the  falling  of  a  rafter  ! 
Know'st  thou  th'  offender's  name  ? 

DE   LI.KMA. 

Alas !  no  serf, 

No  man  of  low  degree  has  done  this  deed — 
The  aggressor  is  our  equal. 

• 

VELASCO. 

Say'st  thou  so  T 
Then,  by  my  sacred  honour,  he  shall  die  ! 

DE  LERMA. 

Thou  wilt  hold  true  to  that  ? 

VELASCO. 

Have  I  not  said  ? 

Were  it  the  king  himself,  who  dared  profane 
A  single  hair  upon  thy  reverend  brow, 
I  would  assail  him  on  his  guarded  throne, 
And  with  his  life-blood  stain  the  marble  floor ! 

DE  LERMA. 

Thou  noble  scion  of  a  blighted  stock  ! 

I  yet  am  strong  in  thee.     Thou  shall  avenge 

This  ignominious  wrong. 

VELASCO. 

Who  did  it?     Speak? 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  52 

DE  LERMA. 

Gonzalez  did  it. 

VELASCO. 

No,  no,  no  !  the  air 

In  fiendish  mockery  syllabled  that  name. 
It  was  a  dreadful  fantasy  ! 

My  lord — 

DE  LERMA. 

Pedro  Gonzalez. 

VELASCO, 

Izidora's  father ! 

DE   LERMA. 

Oh  !  thou  hast  other  ties.     I  did  forget. 
Go.     Thou'rt  released. 

VELASCO. 

There  must  be  expiation  ! 
Oh  !  lam  very  wretched  !     But  fear  not. 
There  shall  be  satisfaction  or  atonement ! 

DB  LKRMA. 

Thou  say'st  it.     To  thy  trust  I  yield  mine  honour. 

[Exit. 

VELASCO. 

While  the  proud  bird  soar'd  to  the  noonday  sun, 
The  shaft  was  sped  that  dash'd  him  to  the  earth  ! 
'Twas  wing'd  by  Fate  !    "Pis  here!  I  cannot  shrink 
From  the  appalling  sense  that  it  is  real ! 
This  throbbing  brain,  this  sick  and  riven  heart, 
These  shudders,  that  convulse  my  very  soul, 
Confirm  the  dreadful  truth.      But  oh  !  to  think 
Of  all  the  wretchedness  'twill  bring  on  her, 
E  2 


54  VELASCO.  [ACT  in. 

Her,  who«e  glad  tones  and  joy-bestowing  beauty 
Seem'd  doubly  glad  and  beautiful  to-day  ; 
Whose  little  plans  of  happiness — 

Great  Heavens  \ 

It  will  affright  her  reason — drive  her  mad  ! 
It  must  not  be  ! 

And  yet,  my  father  wrong'd, 
Insulted  by  a  blow — the  proud  old  man, 
Who  fourscore  years  has  kept  his  fame  unblurr'd, 
Now  to  be  so  disgraced,  and  no  redress  ! 
My  honour  calls  !     It  drowns  all  other  cries  ! 
Love's  shrieking  wo,  and  Mercy's  pleading  voice  ! 
Thus,  thus  !     I  cast  them  off — poor  suppliants  ! 
And  now,  Gonzalez !  for  revenge  and  thee  ! 

[Exit, 

END    OF    ACT    SECOND. 


ACT  III. 

SCENE    I. 

An  apartment  in  the  mansion  of  Gonzalez — Fold 
ing-door  opening1  upon  an  esplanade — a  sliding 
panel  concealed  by  the  picture  of  an  armed  knight, 

(Enter  Gonzalez.) 

GONZALEZ. 

Why  should  I,  with  a  vain  regret,  deplore 

This  deed,  to  which  my  just  resentment  forcad  me? 

Did  not  the  provocation  justify  it? 

An  injury,  my  nature  can  forgive  ; 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  55 

An  insult  wakes  the  instinct  of  revenge. 

Yes  ;  I  was  right.     He  merited  the  blow. 

Yet  for  her  sake — for  Izidora's  sake — 

Would  that  I  might  avert  the  threatening  issue  ! 

I'l    go  to  old  De  Lerma;  on  my  knees 

Solicit  his  forgiveness.     But  the  world — 

What  would  be  their  construction  of  th'  abasement? 

That  it  was  fear  of  his  redoubted  son, 

Which  drove  me  to  it — fear  of  Don  Velasco  ! 

'Twere  madness  to  retract.     Velasco  comes. 

(Enter  Velasco.} 

VELASCO. 
I  see  thou  know'st  my  errand. 

GONZALEZ. 

Thou  art  quick 
In  thy  surmises.     What  wouldst  thou  with  me  ? 

VELASCO. 

Oh  !  was  it,  sir,  an  honourable  deed — 
One  worthy  of  a  brave  and  high-born  knight, — 
To  strike  an  old  man  in  his  helplessness — 
An  old  Castilian  warrior,  whose  gray  hairs 
O'ershadow  scars  enough  to  chronicle 
His  country's  battles  for  these  sixty  years  ! 

GONZALEZ. 

Spare  thy  rebukes — I  am  thy  elder,  sir ; 
INot  to  be  tutor'd  in  the  ways  of  honour 
By  such  as  thou  !     Thy  father  put  on  me 
A  grievous  insult — one,  which  even  dotage 
Had  no  immunity  to  put  on  manhood. 
I  answer'd  the  foul  slander  with  a  blow  ! 
I  arn  prepared  t'  abide  the  penalty. 

VELASCO. 
Obdurate  !  must  the  last  resort  be  ours  ? 


56  VELASCO.  [ACT  in. 

GONZALEZ. 

If  thou  wouldst  aught  with  me,  I  wait  thy  pleasure. 

VELASCO. 

Then  here,  my  lord,  here's  the  arbitrament, 

[Pointing  to  his  sword. 
Which  now  remains  for  us. 

GONZALEZ. 

E'en  as  thou  wilt. 
Follow  me;  though  I  spared  thy  father's  life, N*s- v 
Think  not  there  waits  for  thee  the  same  forbearance. 
Slay  !  we  subject  ourselves  to  scrutiny, 
Should  we  move  this  way  ; — look  you,  Don  Velasco, 
[Springs  the  panel,  which  opens  a  passage. 
A  secret  passage  !  known  to  me  alone  ! 
It  carries  us  to  a  secluded  spot, 
Beyond  the  castle's  walls.     I  would  not  share 
This  secret  with  my  dearest  friend  on  earth  : 
Thou  must  not  live  to  whisper  it!     Come  on  ! 

[Exit  through  the  panel. 

VELASCO. 

Jt  is  decreed  ! 

[Izidora's  voice  is  heard  in  singing. 
Her  voice  !  her  happy  voice  ! 
Ill-fated  Izidora  !  soon  those  tones 
Must  be  for  ever  changed.      Despair's  wild  shriek 
Must  rend  that  fine,  harmonious  instrument, 
Made  for  the  utterance  of  joy  and  love  ! 

GONZALEZ,    (without.) 

A  laggard,  sir? 

VELASCO, 

Farewell,  my  love,  for  ever  ! 
Thus  o'er  the  brink  of  our  despair  I  rush  ! 

[Exit.     The  panel  closes. 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  57 

(Enter  Izidora.) 

Ml  DOHA. 

Why  is  it,  all  I  meet  appear  so  sad  ? 

My  brother,  ere  this  morning  he  departed, 

Gazed  steadfastly  awhile  into  my  face, 

Then  started  from  me,  as  he  had  been  blasted  ! 

Hernando  too,  our  kinsman,  when  we  meet, 

Bends  such  a  strange  and  warning  glance  upon  me — 

My  path  he  crosses  like  an  evil  omen. 

Even  old  Bianca,  not  to  be  outdone, 

In  her  contagious  sadness,  prates  of  dreams, 

Which  revell'd  in  her  empty  brain  last  night. 

And  when  the  golden  zone,  Velasco  gave  me, 

Snapp'd  in  the  middle,  as  it  clasp'd  my  waist,  . 

She    wrung   her     hands,   and    cried:     "  Wo's   me! 

Alas  ! 

Ah  !  well-a-day  !"  and  made  such  wild  exclaims, 
As  it  had  been  her  heart,  and  not  the  girdle, 
Whose  breaking  made  her  weep.  'Tis  very  strange  ! 
I  wish  the  sun  were  set;  for  I  might  see 
Velasco  then ;  and  we  would  laugh  away 
These  dark  misgivings. 

[  Touches  the  strings  of  a  lute, 
Ah  !     What  sounds  are  those  ? 

(Re-enter  Gonzalez,  wounded,  supported  by  two  ser 
vants.) 

Forfend  it,  Heaven  !  my  father  wounded  !  bleeding 
For  help,  for  help,  will  ye  not  fly  for  help  ? 

[Supporting  Mm. 

GONZALEZ. 

Nay,  do  not  move  me  ;  I  can  go  no  farther. 
Stay  all.     It  will  avail  not.     I  must  die. 

IZIUORA. 

Oh  !  say  not  so  :  thou'rt  hurt  not  unto  death. 
Thou  wilt  survive — such  care  I'll  take  oi  thce. 


58  VELASCO.  [ACT  in. 


GONZALEZ. 

No,  Izidora  ;  there's  a  monitor 

Here,  which  too  surely  tells  me  I  must  die. 

But  shall  there  be  no  vengeance,  no  redress  ? 

Nay,  hear  me,  while  I  have  the  power  to  speak. 

Swear,  Izidora,  swear  to  me  that  thuu 

Wilt  to  the  death  pursue  the  man  who  slew  me. 

JZIDORA. 

Alas  !  who  did  this  deed  ? 

GONZALEZ. 

I  tell  thee,  swear  ! 

If  thou  wouldst  part  with  me  in  peace.     Delay' 
A  moment  and  thou  art  too  late.     Thou'lt  not 
Refuse  my  dying  blessing  ? 

IZIDORA. 

Take  mine  oath. 
Ah  !  who  relentless  did  this  cruelty  ? 

GONZALEZ.  (Giving1  her  a  dagger.) 

His  name — a  torrent's  pouring  on  my  heart — 

And  now,  like  fire  it  rushes  to  my  brain  ! 

Where  art  thou,  Izidora  ?     All  is  dark.  [Dies. 


Hemovesnot — breathes  not!    Is  this  death?  No,  no  ! 
It  cannot,  should  not  be  !   not  death  !  not  death  ! 
Ah  !  father,  speak  !  it  is  thy  daughter  calls ! 
She,  who  this  morning  hung  upon  thy  neck — 
Whom  thou  didst  circle  in  thy  living  arms  ! 
Oh  !  do  not  leave  me  thus  ! — 

Cold,  motionless, 
Silent,  for  evermore  ! 

And  I  stand  here, 


SCENE  I.]  YCLASCO.  59 

Conscious  of  this,  yet  wondrously  alive — 
Nerving  my  sinews  to  the  appointed  task. 
The  name  ?  Know  ye  the  name  he  would  have  ut- 

ter'd  ? 
Ye  do  not.     It  is  well.     Bear  in  your  burthen. 

[Exeunt  servants  with  Gonzalez. 
Now  to  fulfil  mine  oath  !  and  were  there  none, 
To  bind  me  to  pursue  the  murderer, 
Should  not  my  filial  duty  be  enough 
To  urge  me  on  ?     An  oath  ?  an  oath  of  vengeance  ! 
Oh  !   what  have  I  to  do  with  vengeance  ?  I, 
Who  do  so  shudder  at  the  sight  of  blood. 
Unworthy  hesitation  ;  am  I  not 
A  warrior's  promised  bride?     Where  should  I  fly, 
If  not  t-i  him,  in  this  calamity? 
Alas  !   he  now  awaits  me,  light  of  heart, 
Beside  the  garden's  verge — the  spot  I  chose  ! 
Affliction  casts  no  shadow  on  his  dreams  ! 
(Enter  Hernando,  unperceived.) 
He  looks  for  a  glad  meeting.     Oh  !  Velasco  ! 
What  desolation  would  be  round  my  path, 
In  this  bereavement,  were  it  not  for  thee  ! 

[Exit. 

HERNANDO. 

It  is  accomplished — all  as  I  foresaw  ! 

Fly,  wretched  maid,  to  thy  victorious  lover  ! 

Seek  consolation  in  his  blood-stain'd  arms; 

That  thou  mayst  shrink  with  more  abhorrence  from 

him, 

When  the  dread  truth,  volcano-like,  bursts  on  thee ! 
There's  but  one  obstacle  remains  between 
My  hopes  and  their  attainment : — Julio  lives  ! 
And  but  for  him,  these  castellated  walls, 
This  broad  domain,  with  its  well-dowried  mistress, 
Might  be  mine  own      Success  emboldens  thee, 
Hernando  !     Ay  ;  ambition  shall  complete 
What  Vengeance  has  so  prosperously  begun. 

[Exit. 


VELASCO.  [ACT  in. 


SCENE  II. 

A  hall  in  the  mansion  of  De  Lerma,  with  Gothic 
windows. 

(Enter  De  Lerma.} 

DE  LEHMA. 

Velasco  comes  not.     He  is  brave  and  strong  ; 
And  yet  there  is  a  sinking  of  my  heart 
At  this  delay.     Should  he  have  fallen  in  fight — 
Or  desperate  rush'd  on  his  opponent's  sword  ! 
'Tis  time  he  were  return'd. 

[  Throws  open  a  window. 

The  sun's  red  orb 

Is  poised  in  yellow  mist  above  the  west: 
A  storm  is  in  those  vapours.     Hark  !  a  step  ! 
He  comes  !  victorious  !  he  has  effaced, 
From  the  escutcheon  of  our  noble  house 
The  only  stain  that  ever  marr'd  its  whiteness. 

(Enter  Velasco,  gazing  distractedly  on  his  drawn 
sword.) 

Welcome  !  thou  hast  discharged  a  sacred  duty  ! 
VELASCO. 

Look  there  !  it  is  his  blood  !     Gonzalez'  blood  ! 

He  was  the  father  of  my  Izidora  ! 

The  parent  fount,  whence  flow'd  the  ruby  stream, 

That  circles  in  her  fine,  translucent  veins  ! 

"Tis  the  same  blood  that  warms  her  innocent  heart ; 

That  paints  the  rose-leaf  on  her  dainty  cheek ; 

That  mantles  in  her  blush,  when  maiden  pride 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  61 

Checks  the  betrayal  of  her  guileless  love  ! 

Her  love  !  Oh  !  Heavens  !  what  claim  have  I  to  that ! 

I,  who  have  slain  her  father !     I  have  done 

A  double  murder!  may  a  double  curse 

Fall  on  my  head  !  for,  when  th'  infernal  steel 

Was  levell'd  at  his  breast,  full  well  I  knew, 

That  it  would  reach  through  him  to  Izidora  ! 

[  With  vehement  emotion. 

'Twas  thou  !  'twas  thou  !  who  forced  me  to  this  deed  ! 
Oh  !  is  not  this  satiety  of  vengeance  ? 
Now,  to  reward  thy  son,  be  merciful, 

[Gives  De  Lermahis  sword. 

And  turn  the  point,  on  which  those  sanguine  drops 
Plead,  like  the  tears  of  orphans,  for  my  suit, 
Turn  it  against  this  desolated  heart! 
I  kneel  to  thee  !     I  ask  it  of  thy  mercy. 

DE  LERMA. 

Up  !  up  !     Velasco.     Be  the  hero  still ; 
Curb  these  unruly  passions.     Thou  hast  made 
A  worthy  offering  on  the  shrine  of  honour. 
Much  comfort  yet  remains  for  thee,  my  son. 

VELASCO. 

Honour  !  what  frigid  bigotry  it  is  ! 
Comfort !  no  more,  oh  !  never  more,  shall  I 
Know  the  soft  comfort  of  a  mind  at  ease  ! 

DE  LERMA. 

Wilt  thou  afflict  me  by  thy  grief's  excess  ? 

VELASCO. 

Her  father's  death — that  sure  had  been  enough 
To  prostrate  her  young  joys  and  bow  her  soul 
Tn  agony  of  sorrow — then,  oh,  Heavens  ! 
With  what  redoubled  horror  will  she  learn, 
That  I  was  the  fell  agent — I,  who  swore 
To  cherish  and  to  love  her  all  her  days  I 
F 


62  VELASCO.  [ACT  in. 

Bend  not  thy  thoughts  on  that,  or  they  will  end 
In  maniac  frenzy — even  now,  my  brain, 
In  spiral  flames,  seems  eddying  unto  madness  ! 
Oh  !  give  me  air,  air,  air !  or  I  shall  die  ! 

[Rushes  out. 

DE   LERMA. 

These  vehement  griefs,  of  their  own  fierceness,  soon 

Burn  out,  or  are  extinguish'd  in  the  tears 

Which  follow  their  explosion.     Passion's  reign 

Is  brief  as  turbulent.     In  reason's  light 

He  will  regard  the  act.  as  brave  men  should. 

It  pleases  me — the  colour  of  this  blade  ! 

It  shall  be  treasured — that  when  men  shall  say, 

De  Lerma  was  dishonour'd  ;  the  reply 

May  point  to  the  red  proofs  of  his  revenge  ! 

[Exit. 


SCENE  III. 

-4  glen  near  the  castle  of  Gonzalez.     A  storm  is 
raging  with  thunder  and  lightning. 

(Enter  Velasco  from  the  rocks  in  the  back  ground.) 

VELASCO. 

I  lay  my  brow  against  the  marble  rock, 
I  hold  it  throbbing  to  the  dewy  grass — 
There  is  no  coolness  in  the  summer  rain  ! 
The  elements  have  lost  their  attributes. 
The  oaks  are  shiver'd  round  me,  in  the  blaze 
Of  the  near  lightning,  as  it  bursts  the  folds 
Of  its  black  cerements,  but  no  gracious  bolt 
Blasts  me  or  scathes  !     A  wilder  storm  is  here  ! 


SCENE  III.]  YELASCO.  63 

The  fiery  quiver  of  the  clouds  will  be 
Exhausted  soon — the  hurricane  will  sink  ; 
And,  through  the  vista  of  the  western  clouds, 
The  slant  rays  of  the  setting  sun  will  stream — 
And  birds,  on  every  glistening  bough,  will  hail 
The  refluent  brightness  and  the  freshen'd  air  ; 
But  when  will  pass  away  from  this  sad  heart 
The  cloud  of  grief,  the  tempest  of  remorse  ! 
When  will  the  winged  hopes,  that  glanced  and  sang 
In  joy's  melodious  atmosphere,  return, 
To  welcome  back  the  gladness  of  the  soul ! 
This  spot !     What  fatal  instinct  led  me  here  ! 
It  is  our  trysting-place  ;  and — ha  !  what  form 
Breaks  through  the  shadowy  gloom?  'tis  Izidora ! 
She  sees  me — she  advances — knows  she  yet 
The  fearful  truth?     Oh  !  were  this  trial  spared  me  ! 

>  (Enter  Izidora.) 

IZIDORA. 

Velasco !  is  it  thou  ?     Thank  Heaven,  we  meet ! 

[Catches  at  his  arm  for  support — he  turns  away. 
Alas  !  my  lord,  such  fearful  news  I  bring  ! 
Thou  wouldst  not  shun  me  ? 

YELASCO.  (embracing  her.) 

Shun  thee,  Izidora ! 
IZIDORA. 

Oh  !  such  a  strange  calamity  has  fallen 
Upon  our  house,  Velasco  !     But,  I  see, 
Thou  art  inform'd  already.     We  must  straight 
Pursue  the  guilty  wretch. 

VELASCO.  (starting.) 

Avoid  me  !     Fly  ! 
Let  me  not  taint  thee  with  my  traitorous  touch  ! 


64  VELASCO.          [ACT  in. 


IZIDORA. 

Hear  I,  or  do  my  senses  play  me  false  ? 

What  dost  thou  say?     Still  silent?     Wilt  not  speak  ' 

I  did  not  look  for  this.     Thy  sympathy 

At  least  were  due  me  in  this  hour  of  wo. 

VELASCO. 

Do  I  not  share  the  burthen  of  thy  sorrow  ? 
Oh  !  let  this  writhing  heart,  this  burning  brain, 
Attest  my  grief,  my  anguish,  my  despair ! 


Ah  ;  pardon  my  mistrust.     Thou  dost  partake 
With  me  this  great  affliction.     Who,  alas  ! 
Could  have  contrived  so  impious  a»  act  ? 
Help  me  to  curse  him — 

VELASCO. 

No  ;  'tis  not  for  thee 
To  curse  him,  Izidora — not  for  thee  ! 


'Tis  not  for  me  to  curse  him  ?     Thou  art  right. 
'Tis  for  no  Christian  soul  to  breathe  a  curse. 
But  I  have  sworn  an  oath — an  oath  of  vengeance  !" 
Where  is  thy  sword,  Velasco  ?     Thou  shalt  be 
My  champion — the  avenger  of  my  father  ! 

VELASCO. 
I,  thine  avenger !  I,  thy  champion  ! 

IZIDORA. 

And  whom  but  thou  ?     My  brother  gone,  alas  \ 
Where  should  I  fly,  forsaken,  save  to  thee  ? 
Oh!  thou  art  powerful  to  redress  my  wrongs, 
Invincible  in  arms  !     Thy  honour  too — 
I  need  not  tell  thee,  that  thy  honour  cries, 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  65 

With  loud  appeal  on  thee  to  vindicate 
Me  made  an  orphan  and  my  father  slain  ! 

VELASCO. 
And  thou  dost  ask  of  me — 

IZIDORA. 

To  slay  the  slayer  ! 

To  execute  the  law  of  Heaven  and  earth — 
Of  Deity  and  mortal — blood  for  blood  1 

VELASCO. 
Thou  know'st  not  what  thou  askest !    • 

IZIDORA. 

I  have  check'd 

The  tributary  anguish  of  my  heart, 

And  wrought  the  natural  weakness  of  my  sex 

To  the  stern  task  my  dying  sire  imposed. 

Velasco  !  I  had  thought  to  find  in  thee 

A  prompt  avenger — and  why  art  thou  thus  ? 

VELASCO. 

I  cannot — Wilt  thou — Oh  !  have  pity,  Heaven  ! 
IZIDORA. 

We  are  betroth'd ;  but  ere  a  bridegroom's  hand 
Is  clasp'd  in  mine,  th'  atonement  must  be  made. 
Were  he  among  the  mightiest  of  the  land, 
Who  must  account  for  this  unholy  deed, 
Before  thy  arm  of  terror  he  would  quail. 
Go  then  !  pursue  th'  assassin  to  the  death. 

VELASCO. 

Assassin  !  if  the  death  of  him,  my  love, 
Who  slew  thy  father,  would  content  thy  soul; — 
The  boon,  it  were  not  difficult  to  grant. 
F2 


66  VELASCO.  [ACT  n:. 

IZIDORA. 

Know'st  thou  the  man,  Velasco  ? 

YELASCO. 

Yes. 

IZIDORA. 

Oh  !  haste 
To  find  him  then. 

VELASCO. 
He  is  already  found. 

IZIDORA. 

Where  is  the  man  ?     Who  is  he  ? 
VELASCO. 

He  is  here  ! 
I  am  the  man  !     Well  mayst  thou  look  aghast. 

[A  peal  of  thunder.  Izidura  falls  to  the  ground. 
The  thunder  echoes  it !  the  sable  air 
Tolls  with  the  sound,  and  sheds  lamenting  drops  : 
The  tocsin  of  the  elements  proclaims  it, 
And  nature  shudders ! 

It  hath  stunn'd  thy  soul ! 
Oh,  flower  too  early  blighted  !  Izidora ! 
Look  up  !  arise  !     Return  to  thy  sad  home  I 
Nay,  do  not  gaze  so  steadfastly  upon 
That  fearful  conjuration  of  thy  brain. 
Wake,  Izidora ! 

IZIDORA. 

Wake  ?     Then  'tis  a  dream  T 
Oh  !  blessed  waking  !  such  a  dream  of  horror 
Puped  my  poor  senses, — were  it  palpable, 
It  could  not  more  have  check'd  my  frozen  blood, 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  67 

Nor  thrill'd  mine  eyes  within  their  loosen'd  orbs. 
Methought  I  gazed  upon  my  slaughtered  sire — 
Bound  by  an  oatli  of  dire  solemnity, 
To  ta'<e  swift  vengeance  on  his  murderer! 
Distraught  with  grief,  I  hasten'd  ;o  Velasco — 
Whom  should  I  make,  but  him,  my  champion? 
The  lightning's  flash — the  muffled  thunder's  peal — 
The  arrowy  rain  ! — I  heeded  not  the  storm  ! 
But  forward  urged  my  steps,  until,  at  length, 
I  met  my  lover  near  our  favourite  haunt ! 
Averted  were  his  eyes — but  when  he  turn'd 
To  fold  me  in  his  arms,  pale  horror  glared 
From  every  tortured  feature  !  then — oh  !  then — 

[Slowly  recovering  her  consciousness. 
Thou  art  Velasco  !     This  is  not  my  home  ! 
My  happy  chamber,  where  the  m  Tiling  sun 
Sheds  such  a  tender  radiance  !     No;  the  air 
Is  black  with  vapours,  and  the  moaning  gale 
Bends  the  high  trees  and  sweeps  the  murky  clouds  ! 
What  do  I  here  at  such  an  hour  as  this? 
It  was  no  dream  !     It  is  reality  ! 

VELASCO. 

Oh  !  let  me  palliate  the  dreadful  act. 

Thou  dost  not  know — but  thou  art  faint,  my  love. 

IZIDORA. 

Stand  back  !  sir  knight !  thy  arm  no  more  shall  clnsp 

me. 

Think  of  my  oath  !  it  yet  must  be  fulfill'd. 
Before  the  king  himself  I  will  arraign  thee, 
To  answer  for  this  deed. — I  am  devoted 
To  the  fulfilment  of  a  sacred  duty; 
But  did  not  think  to  find  in  thee  the  man — 

VELASCO. 

Oh  !  may  I  not  support  thee  to  thy  home  ? 
Thou'rt  weak,  distracted  mourner  ! 


68  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 


IZIDORA. 


No.     Away ! 
A  power — not  mine — sustains  my  weary — limbs. 

(Enter  Hernando^  who  receives  her  insensible  in  his 
arms.) 

HFRNANDO. 

Here,  in  her  kinsman's  arms,  is  her  protection. 
Wouldst  thou,  yet  sprinkled  with  her  parent's  blood. 
Proffer  thy  aid  ?  [Bears  her  out. 

VELASCO.  (looking  after  them.} 

Lost !  lost !  For  ever  lost ! 

[  Throws  himself  on  the  ground. 

END    OK    ACT    THIRD. 


ACT  IV. 

SCENE     I. 

Royal  audience-room.     A  chair  of  state. 
(Enter  Ferdinand  and  Favillo.) 

FERDINAND. 

Gonzalez  slain,  and  no  one  knows  by  whom  ? 
No  clew  discover'd !    It  is  strange  indeed  ! 

FAVILLO. 
But  still  more  wonderful,  that  Don  Velasco 


SCENE    I.]  VELASCO.  69 

Should  not  be  eager  to  avenge  his  death  ; 
At  least  to  ferret  out  the  murderer. 

FERDINAND. 

A  mystery  involves  the  deed,  which  time 
Must  speedily  unfold. 

[Shouts  are  heard. 
What  shouts  are  those  ? 
What  crowd  is  that  beneath  the  porch? 

(Enter  Carlos.) 
CARLOS. 

My  liege, 

The  daughter  of  Gonzalez  and  her  kinsman. 
Thy  presence  seek.     The  people  gather  round, 
And,  in  their  pity,  shout  aloud  for  justice. 

FERDINAND. 

Admit  her. 

[Exit  Carlos.     The  King  ascends  his  throne. 

FAVILLO. 

Strange,  Velasco  should  be  absent! 

(Enter  Izidora,  followed  by  Hernando,  Knights,  La 
dies,  «^c.,  who  form  round  ths  throne.  Izidora 
kneels  to  the  king.) 

FERDINAND. 

Rise  up,  fair  mourner ;  we  will  hear  thy  griefs. 

IZIDORA. 

I  am  the  orphan  daughter  of  Gonzalez  : 
He  was,  great  king,  thy  brave  and  loyal  subject, 
And  has  done  service  in  his  country's  wars. 
By  violence,  his  death  has  been  accomplish'd. 
Oh  !   tyrant,  my  liege,'  redress  against  the  man 
Who  has  my  father 


70  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 

FERDINAND. 

Who  is  the.  man  ? 
IZIDORA. 

Ah  me  !  the  last  who  should  have  done  the  deed. 
His  name — I  am  a  feeble  advocate 
Against  so  potent  and  renown'd  a  foe — 
But  let  the  arm  of  justice,  mighty  king  ! 
Reach  him  upon  his  pinnacle  of  fame. 

FERDINAND. 

Ha  !  name  thy  foe. 

IZIDORA. 
His  name — I  cannot  speak  it 

HERNANDO. 

Velasco  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Ay,  'tis  spoken  ! 

FERDINAND. 

Heavens  !     Velasco  ? 

Thou  hast  amazed  us,  lady,  by  thy  charge  ; 
The  proofs,  that  could  have  urged  on  thee  conviction, 
Cannot  be  such  as  will  admit  our  doubt. 

HERNANDO. 

My  liege,  he  deigns  not  to  dispute  the  charge. 

FERDINAND. 

What  madness  drove  him  to  the  ruthless  deed  ? 

HERNANDO. 

My  liege,  we  must  conjecture  that  he  hoped, 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  71 

By  virtue  of  his  marriage  with  this  lady, 
To  gain  possession  of  the  seignories 
Gonzalez  held. 

IZIDORA. 

Never  !  thou  dost  malign  him  ! 
Never  could  such  a  motive  sway  his  heart  ! 
Oh  !  judge  not  thou  of  motives,  if  none  better 
Thou  canst  attribute,  sir,  to  such  as  he — 
A  knight,  a  man  of  honour,  a  Velasco  ! 

[Enter  Velasco,  unpcrceived.  He  stands  com 
posedly,  with  folded  arms,  while  Hernando  is 
speaking. 

HERNANDO. 

My  liege,  I  did  but  venture  a  surmise. 
His  motives  to  the  crime  I  may  misdeem  ; 
But  of  his  agency,  what  doubt  remains  ? 
Much  cause  have  we  to  fear,  it  was  no  duel, 
By  knightly  laws,  in  which  Gonzalez  fell, 
But  an  assassination,  in  which  hunour — 

[He  suddenly  sees  Velasco,  and  is  silent. 

FERDINAND. 

Go  on.     Why  dost  thou  hesitate,  Hernando  ? 
Behold  th'  accused  !     Confront  him  with  thy  charge. 

HERNANDO. 

My  liege — 

VELASCO. 

Has  my  arrival  struck  thee  speechless? 
Why,  what  a  type  of  infamy  thou  standest ! 
Traducer  !  thou  art  sunk  beneath  my  scorn. 
But  where  is  he,  who  will  maintain  thy  charge? 
I  slew  Gonzalez  as  becomes  a  knight, 
In  honourable  combat,  sword  to  sword  ! 

( Throwing  down  his  gauntlet. 
Behold  my  gage  !  who  will  gainsay  the  truth  ? 


72  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 

FERDINAND. 

What  proof  canst  bring,  Hernando,  of  thy  charge  ? 

HERNANDO. 

Presumptions  strong,  my  liege — 

FERDINAND. 

Presumptions,  sir  ? 

And  wouldst  thou  slander  a  Castilian  noble 
Upon  such  grounds  ?     Velasco,  we  know  not 
What  provocation  drove  thee  to  this  deed, 
But  that  thine  honour  suffered  in  th'  encounter, 
Thy  own  attesting  word  could  not  persuade  us. 

(Enter  De  Lerma.) 

DE   LERMA. 

My  liege,  this  is  my  quarrel ;  and,  be  sure, 
Justice  holds  me  al;»ne  responsible. 
Velasco  was  the  weapon  in  my  hand, 
Wielded  for  the  redempiion  of  my  honour. 
Know  that  I  was  insulted  by  Gonzalez, — 
Struck,  like  a  very  beggar,  in  the  street ! 
I  drew  my  sword  upon  him,  but  alas  ! 
My  arm  had  lost  its  vigour  ; — and,  with  scorn, 
He  dash'd  aside  my  unavailing  blade, 
Then  left  me  crush'd  beneath  a  load  of  shame  ! 
Could  I  exist,  my  liege,  while  lived  the  man 
Who  had  disgraced  me?     No  !  I  had  a  son — 
He  has  but  done  his  duty. 

FERDINAND. 

And  no  more  ! 

Hence  be  it  said,  Velasco  yielded  up 
Love,  life,  ay,  more  than  life,  rather  than  honour. 
For  thee,  unhappy  lady,  who  hast  been 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  73 

Deprived  at  once  of  bridegroom  and  of  father, 
We  cannot  punish  where  we  find  no  guilt — 
No  treacherous  action  nor  intent  is  proved. 
We  can  but  say  :  bring  forth  thy  champion ; 
Velasco  promptly  will  obey  his  summons. 
The  feud  admits  not  of  our  interference. 
We  have  decided.     Follow  me,  Hernando. 

[Exeunt  all  but  Izidora  and  Velasco.  Carlos, 
as  he  goes  out,  returns  the  latter  his 
gauntlet. 

VELASCO. 

Thou  hast  heard  all  which  can  extenuate 

The  perpetration  of  the  deed  we  mourn  : 

Oh  !  wilt  thou  not  believe,  that  when  mine  arm 

Was  raised  to  strike,  my  heart  was  torn  with  anguish? 

That  I  did  love  thee  better  at  that  moment, 

While  severing  the  tie  between  our  fates, 

Than  when  exulting  hope  was  all  mine  own  ? 

IZIDORA. 

Call  it  not  love,  Velasco  ;  hadst  thou  loved, 
Thou  sooner  wouldst  have  died  a  death  of  shame 
Than  brought  this  weight  of  misery  upon  me. 

VELASCO, 

Oh  !  sound  the  dreary  depth  of  my  despair, 
Then,  if  thou  canst,  measure  my  boundless  love. 

IZIDORA. 

Call'st  thou  that  love  which  pride  can  subjugate? 
Which  can  be  quell'd  by  what  the  world  call  honour, 
Or  made  to  yield  even  by  filial  duty  ? 
No  !  to  all  these  true  love  is  paramount ! 

VELASCO. 

Oh  !  my  fair  name  had  been  for  ever  lost, 
If  I  had  tamely  borne  the  unmeasured  insult. 
G 


74  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 


IZIDORA. 

No  !     One  appealing  word  had  wrought  compunction 

In  the  offender's  heart ;  but  PRIDE  withheld  thee. 

A  human  victim  was  the  side  oblation 

Which  could  appease  thy  Moloch  !  and  revenge 

Was  dearer  to  thee  than  the  hopes  of  love  ! 

More  sacred  than  thy  plighted  faith  to  her, 

Who  to  thy  trust  gave  all  her  happiness  ! 

Oh !  what  a  reckless  steward  hast  thou  been  ! 

VELASCO. 

Could  I  behold  a  venerated  father 
Crush'd  by  a  sense  of  unrequited  wrong, 
Wasted  by  stricken  pride  and  wounded  honour, 
And,  with  the  power  to  save,  deny  redress  ? 

IZIDORA. 

Thou  dost  but  point  the  sting  of  mine  own  conscience. 
If  to  redress  a  blow,  thy  sacrifice 
Was  the  aggressor's  life,  what  should  be  mine, 
Who  have  a  father's  slaughter  to  avenge  ! 

VELASCO. 

Oh  !  worse  than  death  thou  dost  inflict  on  me, 
[Now  by  thy  hate. 

IZIDORA. 

My  hate  ! 
VELASCO. 

Thou  dost  not  love  me  ? 
IZIDORA. 

Love  thee  ?  oh,  no  !     I  should  not,  would  not  love 

thee — 
I  will  fly  from  thee — 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  75 


VELASCO. 

Stay  !  before  we  part — 
Which  parting  is  for  ever — may  we  not 
Forget  the  sad  divulsion  of  our  fates, 
And  sail  together  down  the  sunny  past ! 

IZIUORA. 

How  every  tone  brings  back  the  happy  days  ! 
I  fear  'tis  sin  to  listen — but  there  is 
Such  sweet  enchantment  in  it — 

VELASCO. 

'Tis  in  vain ! 

I  cannot  rid  me  of  the  recollection. 
Thou  art  a  passive  victim  :  I,  alas  ! 
I  was  the  scourge,  the  awful  instrument ! 

IZIDORA. 

Canst  thou  recall  not  that  delicious  twilight, 
When,  venturous  children,  careless  of  time's  lapse, 
We  traversed  in  a  skiff  the  wood-girt  lake, 
While  from  the  rosy  west,  the  drooping  clouds — 
Ensanguined  banners  of  the  captive  day — 
Threw  o'er  the  purple  wave  their  glowing  shadows? 

VELASCO. 
I  can  but  sigh  for  what  we  might  have  been! 

IZIDORA. 

And  memory  need  not  travel  far  to  bring 
That  hour,  when  we  two  parted  light  of  heart, 
In  the  near  prospect  of  a  joyous  bridal. 
Oh  !  little  did  we  dream,  that  ere  we  met 
Strange  horror  would  disjoin  us  ! 

VELASCO. 

Oh!  forget! 
Or  €re  we  part,  vouchsafe  one  last  embrace. 


76  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 


IZIDORA. 

Forbear  !     This  is  impiety,  Velasco. 

'Tis  not  for  thee  to  clasp  me.     Think  !  my  father  ! 

Dying  he  drew  from  me  a  sacred  oath, 

And,  a»  a  legacy,  bequea'th'd  this  dagger  ! 

VELASCO. 

My  heart  leaps  to  it !     Strike,  and  do  not  quail — 
Now,  ere  thy  purpose  flag — strike  !  I  will  bless  thee  ! 
[She  raises  it,  as  if  to  strike  him — he  extends 
his  arms,  inviting1  the  blow,  whereupon  she 
drops  the  dagger,  and  rushes  out. 
Were  I  the  only  victim,  I  could  brave, 
Methinks,  Fate's  worst  infliction  ;  but  my  heart 
Breaks  when  I  see  her  suffer.     I  look  round 
For  refuge,  but  can  find  one  only  haven — 
The  quiet  grave  !     As  if  to  point  the  way, 

[  Taking  up  the  dagger. 

The  steel  she  left  gleams  on  me  !     If  Despair 
Could  ever  justify  self-sacrifice, 
Now's  the  occasion,  when  my  forfeit  life 
Is  claim'd  by  her,  to  whom  it  was  devoted. 
A  sinew's  quick  contraction  and  'tis  done  ! — 
No,  no,  Velasco  !  'tis  a  weary  march  ! 
And  many  droop  and  falter  by  the  way, 
And  many,  treading  in  forbidden  paths, 
At  their  great  Captain's  sacred  laws  rebel — 
But  the  good  soldier  still  maintains  his  post ; 
Obeys,  and  presses  forward  to  the  last ; 
"While  on  the  streaming  flag,  <hat  marshals  him, 
And  lifts  the  emblem  of  his  faith,  he  reads, 

BY  THIS  SIGN  SHALT  THOU  CONQUER  ! 

[Exit. 
(Re-enter  Carlos.) 

CARLOS. 

Poor  Velasco  ! — ! 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  77 

Ah  !  who  approach  !     Hornando  and  Mendoza. 
Some  knavery's  afoot.     I'll  stand  aside. 

(Re-enter  Hcrnando,icith  Mendoza.) 

[Carlos  seats  himself  vnperceived  upon  the  chair  of 
state. 

HERNANDO. 

Art  well  assured  of  the  fidelity 

Of  him  thou  hast  employ'd  in  this  affair  ? 

MENDOZA. 

Don  Julio  stands  no  longer  in  thy  way. 

Our  agents  bring  such  proofs  as  will  convince  thee. 

How  wilt  thou  mould  the  sister  to  thy  purpose? 

HERNANDO. 

She  will  be  mine,  Mendoza  ;  and  at  once — 

If  not  by  fair  compliance,  by  compulsion  ! 

I  have  possess'd  the  castle  with  my  creatures — 

Ri'lding  its  precincts  of  the  old  adherents. 

She  returns  home — to  my  home — dost  thou  hear? 

She's  in  my  power — is't  not  a  masterpiece  ? 

MENDOZA. 
A  rare  one. 

[  Carlos  in  drawing  his  sword  rattles  it. 

HERNANDO. 

Ha  !  a  listener  ! 

MENDOZA. 

It  is  Carlos  ! 

HERNANDO. 

Confusion !  he  has  heard  us  !     Boy  !  come  hither. 

[Carlos  hums  a  tune  and  bends  his  sword- 
blade  against  the  floor. 

vjr  <6 


78  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 

MENDOZA.  (going  towards  him.) 
So  !  I  will  drag  him  to  you.     Meddling  page  ! — 
CARLOS,  (starting  forward.) 

Stand  off,  sir  !  off!     My  rapier  is  not  squeamish  ; 

It  may  take  up  with  offal?.     So,  beware! 

Go,  frighten  women.     Think  not  that  I  fear  you. 

HERNANDO. 

Nay,  Carlos  !     Tempt  him  not,  Mendoza.     Hold  ! 
Didst  hear  the  import  of  the  brief  discourse, 
Which  pass'd  between  this  gentleman  and  me? 

CARLOS. 

Oh  !  traitors  !  every  villanous  word  ye  utter'd, 
I  overheard. 

HERNANDO. 

Thou'rt  jesting  with  us,  Carlos. 

CARLOS. 

Flatter  yourselves  with  the  belief.     Perchance, 
Ye  soon  will  find  I  do  not  jest  with  traitors. 

[To  Mendoza,  who  is  trying  to  circumvent  him. 
A  fair  field  and  no  favour,  if  you  please  ! 
None  of  your  back-hand  villany  !     Go  to. 

HERNANDO. 

Stay,  boy  !     Thou'lt  not  betray  us  ? 

CARLOS. 

I  betray  ! 
What  have  you  trusted  to  me  ? 

MENDOZA. 

Wilt  report 
Aught  thou  hast  heard  ? 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  79 


HERNANDO. 

Nay;  Carlos  knows  his  friends. 
There  is  an  Arab  courser  in  my  slables, 
FJeet  as  the  wind,  clean-limb'd  and  tractable  ; 
And  of  a  size  just  suited  to  thy  height. 
I  would  not  part  with  him  for  money,  Carlos ; 
But,  if  thou'lt  be  our  friend,  and  keep  our  counsel, 
He  shall  be  thine. 

MENDOZA.  (aside.) 
Well  put.     The  bribe  has  won  him. 

CARLOS. 
Hast  thou  so  brave  a  steed  ? 

HERNANDO. 

Ay,  Carlos. 

CARLOS. 

Black? 

HERNANDO. 

Black  as  a  raven. 

CARLOS. 

Fleet? 

HERNANDO. 

Oh !  very  fleet. 

CARLOS. 

Then,  prithee,  mind  my  caution.     Mount  at  once  ! 
And,  swift  as  thou  canst  spur  him,  leave  behind 
The  gallows  that  awaits  thee. 

HERNANDO. 

Dost  thou  mock  me  ? 


80  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 


But  should  thy  neck  be  broken  in  thy  flight. 
The  accident  may  save  it  from  a  halter, 
And  cheat  an  honest  hangman  of  his  fee. 
Stand  back,  or  thou  shall  rue  it. 

HERNANDO. 

Boy !  beware  ! 

Thy  life  shall  be  the  forfeit  of  thy  treason. 
"What  wouldst  thou  do  ? 

CARLOS. 

Expose  you  !  baffle  you  ! 

Oh  !  fume  not.     I  shall  haste  to  Don  Velasco, 
Tell  him  what  I  have  heard  ;  and,  if  he  have  not 
Two  knaves'  heads  dangling  at  his  saddle-bow 
Before  the  nightfall,  I'm  no  conjurer. 

[Exit. 

MENDOZA. 

'Sdeath  !     There  is  danger  in  him.     He  will  keep 
His  threat.     What's  to  be  done? 

HERNANDO. 

We  must  be  speedy 
In  the  achievement  of  our  purposes. 
To  horse  !     We'll  reach  the  castle  of  Gonzalez 
Ere  the  alarm  is  raised.     There  we  are  safe ; 
And  Izidora's  mine.     The  massive  gates 
Shall  keep  out  all  intruders,  even  the  king; 
And  should  Velasco  venture  to  approach  us, 
Our  cross-bow  men  shall  send  an  arrow  through  him. 
Come  !  fortune  beckons  us.     To  horse  !  to  horse  ! 

[Exeunt. 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  81 


SCENE  II. 

Same  as  Act  III,  Scene  I.  An  apartment  in  the 
mansion  of  Gonzalez.  A  sliding  panel  concealed 
by  the  picture  of  an  armed  knight.  Folding  doors 
closed. 

Enter  Izidora. 

IZIDORA. 

My  home  seems  changed  :  new  faces  stare  upon  me  ; 

Familiar  ones  are  miss'd  :  or,  do  I  dream? 

Was  it  not  all  the  mere  fantastic  play 

Of  brain-sick  fancy  ?     No.     I  stood  before 

The  king,  and  claim'd  redress  against  my  lover. 

Oh  !  hypocrite  !  thy  tongue  besought  a  boon 

Thy  inmost  heart  rejected  !     I  have  fail'd 

In  rny  first  trial — would  it  were  the'  last ! 

May  it  not  be  the  last  ?     Have  I  not  done 

All  that  could  be  exacted  of  me?     No  ! 

My  duty  urges,  and  rny  oath  compels  ! 

Terrible  duty!  heart-distracting  oath  ! 

Is  this  the  hand  to  point  th'  avenging  steel — 

To  point  it  against  him  !     And  do  I  waver  ? 

Do  I  so  soon  infract  my  sacred  word  ? 

Ye  powers  of  retribution  !  strengthen  me  ! 

And  thou,  impatient  ghost !  rebuke  me  not 

For  this  delay  !     I'll  not  forget  thy  mandate  ! 

I  will  do  all  my  woman's  weakness  can  ! 

(Enter  Hernando.) 
HERNANDO.  (speaking  as  he  enters.) 

Ay  ;  close  the  gates,  and  men  the  outward  towers. 
Let  no  one  be  admitted  on  thy  life, 


82  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 


JZIDORA. 

Let  no  one  be  admitted  !     Close  the  gates  ! 
What  mean'st  thou  by  such  orders  ? 

HERNANDO. 

I  have  cause. 

Fair  cousin,  to  mistrust  Velasco's  purpose ; 
One  of  our  housahp  has  already  slain  ; 
May  he  not  meditate  against  another 
A  like  attempt  ?     'Tis  well  to  be  prepared 
For  a  surprise  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Out  upon  thy  mistrust ! 
It  shall  not  be  !     Who  waits  ? 

HERNANDO. 

Nay;  be  not  hasty- 
Hear  me  ;  and  deign  to  do  my  motives  justice. 

IZIDORA. 

Oh  !  may  I  trust  thee  ? 

HERNANDO. 

Let  my  actions  prove  it. 

IZIDORA. 
I  know  not.     Well :  what  is  thy  word  with  me  ? 

HERNANDO. 

Thou'rt  now,  fair  cousin,  left  in  the  wide  world, 
An  unprotected,  solitary  orphan. 
Thy  brother  gone — perchance,  not  to  return — 
The  man  who  was  betroth'd  to  thee  become 
The  man  whom,  of  all  others,  thou  art  bound, 
With  a  relentless  hatred  to  pursue — 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  83 

Methinks  the  path  of  wisdom  and  of  duty 
Is  plain  before  thee. 

IZIDORA. 

Well. 

HERNANDO. 

If  in  thy  kinsman 

Thou  now  wouldst  take  a  husband  and  protector, 
'Twould  be  compliance  with  thy  father's  will. 

IZIDORA. 

Is  this  a  season  for  such  words  from  thee  ? 
Leave  me.     Dismiss  thy  train.     I  need  them  not. 

HERNANDO. 

But  I  do,  lady. 

IZIDORA. 

Sir  !  I  would  be  private. 

Thou  art  not  gone ?     Where  be  my  servants?     Ho! 
Within  there  ! 

HERNANDO. 

Thou  dost  call  in  vain,  fair  cousin. 
Not  one  of  all  thy  menials  tarries  here. 
As  the  next  male  inheritor  to  thy  brother, 
I  have  possess'd  this  castle  ;  and  the  walls 
Are  fill'd  with  my  retainers.     Thou  art  here 
Wholly  within  my  power  !     Now,  as  a  guest, 
Fair  cousin,  be  less  scornful. 

IZIDORA. 

Even  thou 

Couldst  not  have  been  so  dastardly  a  traitor. 
False  knight — 


84  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 

HERNANDO. 

False  lady  !     I  have  told  the  truth, 

IZIDORA. 
Thou  wouldst  not  dare  to  wrong  me  ! 

HERNANDO. 

I  would  be 

Loth  to  do  that.     I  offer  thee  my  hand  ; 
If  thou  dost  scorn  it,  lady — then  beware  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Thou  hast  forgotten  that  I  have  a  brother. 

HERNANDO. 
/ 

That  brother  is  no  more — he  has  been  alain — 
I  can  produce  assurance  of  the  fact. 

JZIDORA. 

Julio  no  more  !  then  am  I  lost  indeed  ! 
Thou  wouldst  deceive  me.     I'll  not  credit  it. 
Let  me  go  forth,  Hernando. 

HERNANDO. 

Thou  shalt  not. 

Thou  canst  not !     Sentinels  at  every  door, 
Closed  gates  and  lofty  walls,  forbid  departure. 
Listen.     Thou  didst  discard  me  for  another, 
Thinking  that  I  would  tamely  bear  the  slight, 
And  meekly  pardon  my  successful  rival. 
Thou  hast  misjudged  me.     'Tis  my  triumph  now. 
Reflect !  'twas  thou  who  raised  the  fiend  within  me, 
And  it  is  thou  alone  who  can  exorcise  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Why,  thou  art  brave  ! 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  85 


HERKANDO. 

And  dangerous,  fair  cousin. 
Consent!  consent  to  be  my  wedded  wife, 
Or  I  will  drag  thee,  by  thy  braided  hair, 
To  yonder  chamber ! 

(Enter  Velasco,  silently  through  the  secret  passage.) 

[Izidora  appears  to  be  searching  for  a  dag 
ger,  when  suddenly  she  perceives  him. 

IZIDORA. 

Providence  has  sent  thee  ! 
VELASCO. 

I  did  not  think,  that  Fate  had  in  reserve 
For  me  another  moment  of  such  sweetness. 

HERNANDO. 

What  sorcery  is  this  ? 

YELASCO. 

Oh  !  draw  thy  sword  ! 

And  if  one  drop  of  manhood  warm  thy  blood, 
Shed  it  in  guarding  now  thy  sordid  life. 
\Vilt  not  ?     Then,  thus  !  I'll  rob  thee  of  thy  sting  ! 

[Seizes  him  and  raises  his  sword. 
A  power  invisible  arrests  my  arm  ! 
Blood  of  thy  race  enough,  alas  !  has  been 
Already  shed  by  me.     Live,  if  thou  canst ! 

HERNANDO.  (retreating.) 

Dupe  !  thou  art  lost !    and  she,  thou  wouldst  have 

saved, 
Again  is  mine.     Mendoza  !     Ho  !     My  guards  ! 

[Exit. 
H 


86  VELASCO.  [ACT  iv. 


VELASCO. 

This  passage  leads  to  a  secluded  spot 
Beyond  the  walls.     Oh  !  hasten  to  escape. 

IZIDORA. 
Lead  on ! 

[She  gives  her  hand,  but  instantly  recoils. 
Thou'rt  spotted  with  my  father's  blood  ! 
I  cannot  go  with  thee. 

VELASCO. 

It  is  no  time 

For  thoughts  like  these.    Escape  !  while  yet  we  may  ! 
Hark  !  they  approach.     A  moment,  and  we're  lost. 

IZIDORA. 

Oh  !  may  a  moment's  amnesty  exist 
Between  me  and  my  father's  mortal  foe  ? 

VELASCO. 

Oh!  fatal  hesitation  !     Izidora! 

IZIDORA. 
Forgive  me,  and  lead  on.  I'll  fly  with  thee. 

VELASCO. 

It  is  too  late  !     They  see  us  through  th'  embrasure. 
Should  they  assail  us  in  yon  labyrinth, 
The  chances  are  against  us,  for  my  sword 
Would  not  avail  me  in  the  narrow  darkness. 
We  will  stand  here  and  brave  them  to  the  death. 

IZIDORA. 
'Tis  I  have  brought  down  ruin  on  us  both  ! 

VELASCO. 
'Twill  be  too  sweet  to  die  defending  thee. 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  87 

(Enter  Hernando,  Mendoza,  and  Soldiers.) 

HERNANDO. 

Part !  or  ye  both  shall  fall  beneath  our  swords. 
Tear  them  asunder. 

IZ1DORA. 

We'll  not  part,  Velasco  ! 

(A   soldier    advances  with  a    battle-axe.       Velasco 
seizes  it  from  him,  and  drops  his  sword.) 

VELASCO. 

It  were  the  pastime  of  a  holyday 
To  sweep  battalions  of  you  down  like  reeds  ! 
And  here  is  one,  whom  if  ye  dare  to  harm, 
Even  in  the  grazing  of  her  sacred  robe, 
I'll  hew  a  passage,  cravens  !  through  your  hearts. 
Come  !  ye  should  know  me.     I  am  he  who  burst 
Upon  the  conquering  Moors,  a  SANTIAGO. 

HERNANDO. 

'Sdeath  !     Do  you  trail  your  spears?     'Tis  but  one 

man — 

Bear  down  !     Secure  them,  your  reward  is  doubled. 
[As  they  level  their  spears,  Carlos  rushes  in 

through  the  secret  passage. 

Boy  !  thou  hast  rush'd  to  thine  own  chastisement — 
Thou  too  art  lost ! 

CARLOS. 

Hold  !  all !  {a  pause)  The  King  approaches  ! 
[They  fall  back  in  dismay. 

(Enter  Ferdinand  through  the  passage  with  atten 
dants,  6$c.  bearing  torches. 

The  King  points  to  Hernando  and  Mendoza, 
who  are  seized.  Velasco  supports  Izidora. 
The  soldiers  of  Hernando  kneel  and  lay  down 
their  arms. 

END    OF    ACT    FOUBTH. 


88  VELASCO.  [ACT  v. 


ACT   V. 

SCENE   I. 

Royal  audience  room. 
(Enter  Carlos.) 

CARLOS. 

'Twill  be  a  joyous  bridal !     Even  the  skies 
Are  flaunting  in  their  robes  of  festival, 
To  grace  the  nuptials  of  the  brave  and  fair  ! 
All  Burgos  is  in  motion  ;  and  the  streets 
Are  spann'd  by  arches,  and  bestrewn  with  garlands. 
Balconies  gleam  with  tapestry  and  flowers, 
And  columns  rise,  flashing  with  shields  and  helms, 
And  twined  with  olive  branches.     Oh  !  'twill  be 
A  braver  wedding  than  the  world  e'er  saw. 
What  shows  and  banquets  shall  we  have ! — The  king  ? 

[Exit. 

(Enter  Ferdinand,  with  Favillo  and  Attendants.) 

FERDINAND,  (on  his  throne.) 
Summon  the  culprit !     Justice  must  have  way. 

(Enter  Hcrnando,  with  Guard*. 
Hernando  |  out  of  mercy  to  thyself, 
We  have  appointed,  for  thy  final  sentence, 
This  day — a  day,  when  he,  on  whose  decision 
Thy  fate  hangs  trembling  between  life  and  death, 
May  be  of  all  most  leniently  disposed. 
Let  conscience  say  whom  thou  hast  injured  most, 
Then  wait  from  him  thy  doom, 


SCENE    I.]  VELASCO.  89 


HERNANDO. 

Velasco  ? 

FERDINAND. 

Ay. 

HERNANDO. 

Oh  !  doom  me  to  the  galleys — banish  me — 
But  leave  me  not  to  certain  death,  great  king  ! 

FERDINAND. 

He  comes — the  arbiter  of  fate  to  thee. 
(Enter  Velasco.) 

Yelasco  !  we  would  mar  not  with  one  cloud 
This  day  to  joy  devoted,  but  the  fate 
Of  this  unhappy  man  is  in  thy  hands. 
Pronounce  his  sentence  :  it  shall  be  fulfilled. 

VELASCO. 

My  liege,  thou'rt  ever  just.    Stand  forth,  Hernando  ! 

I  will  not  speak  to  tliee  of  wrongs,  which  lie 

Between  ourselves — thy  baseless  calumny — 

The  frail  abortions  of  thy  active  hate — 

But  it  was  thou  who  did  relume  the  feud 

Betwixt  my  noble  father  and  Gonzalez; 

Urging  a  blow  that  death  alone  could  heal. 

'Tvvas  thou,  who  would  have  wrong'd  my  promised 

bride : — 

And,  for  all  this,  thy  punishment  shall  be — 
To  live  !  thy  chain,  the  chain  that  Conscience  forges  ; 
Link'd  with  remorse  and  hateful  memories — 
A  heavier  chain  than  now  is  on  thy  limbs. 
Ay,  live  !  and  be  th'  infliction  for  thy  crimes — 
Remembrance  !     Go  !     I  pity  and  forgive  thee. 

[Exit. 
H2 


90  VELASCO.  [ACT  v. 

FERDINAND. 

Release  him. 

FAVILLO. 

But  one  moment,  stay,  my  liege  : 
There  was  another  charge,  young  Carlos  brought. 
Tell  us,  Hernando,  if  in  any  way, 
Thou  wert  accessary  to  Julio's  death  ? 

HERNANDO. 

I  take  the  dead  to  witness — 

(Enter  Julio,  who  starts  at  seeing1  Hernando  In 
fetters.) 

Ah  !  he  comes 

Here  to  confound  me  with  a  miracle  J 
I  do  confess.     Away  ! 

FERDINAND. 

Don  Julio  here  t 
JULIO. 

My  liege,  forgive  me  the  astonishment 
Which  did  arrest  the  homage  of  my  knee. 

FERDINAND. 

Thou'rt  welcome.     We  had  credited  the  rumour 
That  told  us  thou  wert  slain. 

JULJO. 

Alone,  my  lioger 

Of  all  my  train,  I  have  escaped  from  slaughter. 
Robb'd  of  my  parchments,  thwarted  in  my  mission*. 
No  course  remain'd  to  me  but  to  return. 
My  sister's  bridal  this  ?     I  did  not  think 
To  be  so  fortunate,     It  should  have  been — 


SCENE  I.]  VELASC0.  91 


FERDINAND. 


Ay,  Julio  ;  but  it  was  not.     Thou  shalt  hear 
The  causes  why ;  but  give  thy  promise  first, 
Whate'er  I  may  disclose,  thou  wilt  not  thrust 
A  quarrel  on  Velasco.  [Exit  Favillo* 


JULIO. 


Strange  request  f 

Methinks  I  should  gain  little  in  a  quarrel 
\Vith  such  a  foe— the  child  of  victory  ! 
I  know,  my  king  would  not  entrap  mine  honour- 
And  so,  to  the  effect,  I  pledge  my  word. 


FERDINAND. 


Thou  shalt  hear  all.     Let  prudence  and  compassion 
Then  counsel  thee  to  bear  and  to  forbear. 


JULIO. 


This  mystery,  my  liege  !     A  strange  foreboding 
Runs  darkening  through  my  brain.     I  am  impatient. 

FERDINAND. 

No  sooner  wast  thou  gone  upon  thy  mission, 
Than,  by  base  hints  and  gradual  intimations, 
The  prisoner  here  inflamed  thy  father's  rage 
Against  De  Lerma,  whom  encountering, 
Gonzalez  struck. 

JULIO. 
They  fought  ?     De  Lerma  fell .' 

FERDINAND. 

Scarce  could  he  draw  his  sword,  before  'twas  wrench'd 
By  his  opponent  from  him.     Then,  with  scorn, 
Thy  father  left  him  vanquish'd  and  disgraced. 


92  VELASCO.  [ACT  v. 


JULIO. 


It  was  not  well.     My  father  is  too  choleric. 
And  this  untoward  chance  delayed  the  nuptials  ? 

FERDINAND. 

De  Lerma  felt  the  insult  but  too  keenly  ; 
And  calPd  Velasco  to  remove  the  stigma 
From  his  attainted  honour. 

JULIO. 

Ah  !     Velasco  ? 
He  did  not — no  !  it  is  too  horrible! 

FERDINAND. 

Thy  father  fell  beneath  Velasco's  sword. 
JULIO. 

My  father  dead  !  my  dear,  my  valiant  father  ! 
Slain  !     Oh  !  the  retribution  shall  be  sure. 

FERDINAND. 

Regard  thy  promise,  Julio.     Let  revenge 
Be  stifled  in  the  bud.     It  must  be  crushed  ! 

JULIO. 

And  she — my  sister — weds  io  festal  bravery 
The  homicide  who  robb'd  her  of  a  father  ! 

FERDINAND. 

By  my  command  she  weds  him.     Hear  me,  Julio- 
Hadst  thou  but  seen  thy  sister,  day  by  day, 
"While  life  ebb'd  swiftly  from  her  fading  cheek, 
Now  sadly  patient,  and  now  stung  to  frenzy, 
Invoking  Vengeance  until  reason  fled — 
Thou  wouldst  be  merciful. 

JULIO. 

Oh  !  not  to  him  ! 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  93 


FERDINAND. 

He  saved  thy  sister  from  a  villain's  grasp — 

Will  that  appease  not  thy  insane  revenge  ? 

Long  did  I  sue  in  vain  to  Izidora 

For  her  permission  to  renew  these  nuptials. 

With  earnest  plea  I  urged,  that  she  was  left 

An  orphan — brotherless — but  in  reply 

She  raised  her  eyes  to  Heaven  in  silent  trust. 

A  holy  priest  I  sent  to  sway  her  soul, 

And  offer  absolution — but  his  craft 

Did  not  avail.     At  length,  the  whispering  Court 

Dared  to  revive  Hernando's  baseless  charge, 

That  by  foul  means  thy  father  had  been  slain  ; 

That,  dying,  he  reveal'd  unto  thy  sister 

What  fill'd  her  with  unconquerable  hate 

Against  Velasco.     To  her  ears  it  came, 

The  slanderous  rumour,  and  in  one  wild  burst 

Of  renew'd  love,  of  sympathy  and  scorn, 

She  proved  it  false,  consenting  to  these  nuptials  ! 

JULIO. 
Here  let  them  end. 

FERDINAND. 

How,  Julio  ?  wouldst  thou 
Dispute  my  ordinance.     Attend  thy  sister, 
And  lead  her  to  the  banquet-room.     Anon, 
I,  with  Velasco  and  the  bridal  train, 
Will  meet  you  there  ;  and  thou  shalt  pledge  with  him 
In  drowning  cups  oblivion  to  the  past. 
Then  to  the  church  to  seal  the  nuptial  bond. 
Remand  the  culprit.     I've  thy  promise,  Julio. 

(Exit, 

,     JULIO. 

My  promise  !  is  not  perjury  a  virtue 
In  such  a  juncture  I 


94  VELASCO.  [ACT  v. 

HERNANDO.  (advancing.) 

Ay  ;  it  is  a  virtue. 
Hear  me. 

[  Julio  motions  back  the  guards,  who  are  advancing'. 
They  tell  thee,  /  provoked  this  mischief. 
Let  my  accusers  prove  it.     No  !     Velasco, 
T"  evade  or  palliate  his  monstrous  guilt, 
Has  fix'd  on  me  this  charge. 

JULIO. 

Could  I  believe  it ! 

HERNANDO. 

Learn  more.     Thy  father  dying,  with  an  oath 

Bound  Izidora  to  pursue  to  th'  death 

The  man  to  whom  she  gives  her  hand  this  day. 

JULIO. 

It  must  not  be  !     Religion  shudders  at  it, 
And  filial  piety  recoils  with  horror  ! 
It  must  not  be. 

HERNANDO. 

But  how  wilt  thou  prevent  it? 
Th'  appointed  hour  is  near  :  the  king  commands  ; 
And  Izidora,  urged  to  madness,  yields. 
If  thou  dost  push  a  quarrel  on  Velasco, 
Thy  solemn  pledge  is  broken  ;  and  the  king 
Forbids  the  contest,  stripping  thee  perchance 
Even  of  thy  knighthood,  and  thy  right  to  challenge, 
And  more,  Velasco  never  will  contend, 
"Whate'er  the  provocation,  with  thyself. 

JULIO. 
Great  heavens  !     What's  to  be  done  ! 


SCENE  I.]  VELASCO.  95 


HERNANDO. 

One  way  is  left. 

What  said  the  king?     That,  in  the  banquet-room, 
Thou  shouldst  await  Velasco — there  to  pledge 
The  happy  bridegroom  in  forgiving  cups. 

JULIO. 
Well? 

HERNANDO. 

Lest  Velasco's  beaker  be  not  brimm'd — 

[Offers  a  phial  of  poison. 

JULIO. 

Villain ! 

HERNANDO. 

Reflect ;  it  is  the  only  way 
To  save  thy  sister  from  a  fearful  crime, 
And  to  avenge  thy  father. 

JULIO,  (hesitating.) 

To  avenge  ! 
Say'st  thou — 

HERNANDO. 

Conceal  it  quickly  in  thy  vest. 
That  eavesdropper,  young  Carlos,  is  approaching. 
Consider.     Take  it. 

(Enter  Carlos.} 
[Julio  convulsively  grasps  the  phial  and  conceals  it. 

CARLOS. 

Are  you  here,  Don  Julio  ? 
Ah,  ha  !  what  token  pass'd  between  you  ? 


96  VELASCO.  [ACT  v. 

HERNANDO. 

Nothing. 

CARLOS,  (looking  distrustfully  at  each.) 
Nothing?     Does  nothing  glitter  so? 

JULIO,  (with  asperity.) 

What  wouldst  thou? 

CARLOS. 
I  meant  not  to  offend — to  play  the  spy. 

HERNANDO. 

What  hast  thou  seen  ? 

CARLOS. 

Oh !  nothing. 

HERNANDO.  (to  his  guards.} 
I  am  ready. 

CARLOS,  (to  He'nando.) 

They  tell  me,  Don  Velasco  has  reprieved  thee. 
I  trust  thou'lt  show  thy  gratitude. 

HERNANDO. 

I  will. 

[  Exit  with  guards. 

CARLOS. 

I  will !     There's  mischief  in  that  ruffian  yet. 
Don  Julio  !     I  was  bidden  to  attend  you. 

JULIO,  (in  arevery.) 
I  cannot  do  't !     'Twas  infamous  to  tempt  me. 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  97 

CARLOS. 

How  so  ? 

JULIO,  (still  musing.) 

How  so  1  (suddenly  rousing  himself.)  Carlos  ! 
CARLOS. 

Nay  ;  look  not  on  me 

So  terribly,  my  lord.     They  bade  me  come 
But  to  attend  thee  hence. 

JULIO. 

Lead  on  !     Lead  on  ! 

[Exeunt. 


SCENE  II. 

An  apartment  in  the  Royal  Palace* 

• 
(Enter  Izidora,  sumptuously  attired.) 

IZIDORA. 

I  will  believe  that  I  am  borne  along 
To  this  day's  purpose  in  the  arms  of  Fate ! 
For,  though  my  better  angel  warns  me  back 
With  earnest  gesture  and  imploring  eyes, 
Yet  am  I  weak,  resistless  as  a  child ! 

[Shouts  are  heard. 

Shout  on,  glad  voices  !    Swell  your  acclamations  ! 
It  is  my  bridal  day — a  day  of  joy  ! 
My  heart  is  lifted  on  those  waves  of  sound, 
And  thrills  with  the  first  gladness  it  has  known 
Since — since — 

Away  !  away !  thou  fiend,  remembrance  ! 


98  VELASCO.  ]ACT  v. 

Is  there  no  spell  can  lay  thee  ?     Thou  art  hideous, 

Yet  there's  a  fascination  in  thy  horror 

That  bids  me  gaze  and  gaze  till  I  am  frenzied. 

Ah  me  !  on  what  a  base  is  reared  the  joy, 

A  single  flash  of  memory  can  shiver  ! 

"What  have  I  done?     Brief  is  the  time  elapsed 

Since,  with  the  ashes  of  his  great  forefathers, 

All  that  is  mortal  of  my  sire  was  blended. 

And  now,  death's  sable  livery  is  changed 

For  bridal  pomp — the  wail  of  lamentation 

For  shouts  of  mirth,  and  nuptial  harmonies  ! 

And  he,  I  wed,  is — reason  cannot  breathe  it! — 

Yet  in  that  little  space — that  sand  of  time — 

What  weary  lives  of  anguish  have  been  crowded! 

"What  maddening  thoughts  !  What  passions  and  what 

terrors ! 

Revenge  and  love  and  duty  and  despair! 
The  fury  of  the  elements  !  the  shock 
Of  adverse  fleets  on  a  tempestuous  sea  ! 
But,  over  all,  riding  the  topmost  wave, 
Love's  bark  still  floats  triumphant ! 

(Enter  Velasco.) 

• 

VELASCO. 

Solitary  ? 

JZIDORA. 

Oh  truant  bridegroom  !     Thou  hast  lagg'd  behind 
The  heels  of  expectation. 

VELASCO. 

I  have  counted 
The  tedious  hours  that  kept  me  from  thy  side. 

IZIDORA. 
And  me,  sad  thoughts  have  visited  in  thy  absence. 

VELASCO. 
Oh!  banish  them. 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  95) 


IZIDORA.  (regarding  him  steadfastly.) 

I  know  that  thou  art  good  ! 
Impregnable  in  honour  !  brave  and  noble  ! 
liut  dost  thou  not  condemn  me  in  thy  heart, 
For  the  blind  weakness  of  that  sense  of  duty, 
Or,  for  the  strength  of  that  o'ermastering  passion, 
Which  wrongs  a  father  for  a  lover's  sake  ? 

VELASCO. 

Why,  what  a  restless  conjurer  of  ill 

Thy  fancy  is  !     Thou  know'st,  that  all  my  hopes 

Are  staked  upon  the  promise  of  this  day. 

IZIDORA. 
Thou'rt  pale,  methinks. 

VELASCO. 

And  thou  art  beautiful ! 

IZIDORA. 

We  should  be  happy  at  a  time  like  this. 
VELASCO. 

Am  I  not  happy  ?     Is  it  not  a  joy 

To  look  into  thy  face?  to  hear  thee  speak? 

IZIDORA. 

Why  should  we  not  be  happy  ?     Why,  when  time 
Has  soften'd  to  the  tenderness  of  grief 
The  bitter  recollection  of  the  past — 
Should  we  not  be — 

Who  spake? 

VELASCO. 

I  heard  no  voice. 


100  VELASCO-.  [ACT  v. 

IZ1DORA. 

Didst  thou  not  say,  thy  oath  ? 

VELASCO. 

I  did  not  speak.. 

IZIDORA. 

'Twas  fantasy.     Ha,  ha  ! — 

Who  laughed  ? 

VELASCO. 

Thyself: 

IZIDORA. 

Forgive  my  feebleness.     What  did  I  ask? 

VELASCO. 
Why  should  we  not  be  happy  ? 

I2IDORA. 

Ah  !  look  there  1 

My  father  comes  \     Oh  !  what  a  wedding  guest ! 
The  grave  could  not  withold  him  !  There  he  stands, 
As  I  beheld  him  last,  pale,  pale  and  dying  ! 
Oh!  thou  august  and  dreadful  monitor! 
Wouldst  thou  remind  me  of  my  broken  vow  ? 
Art  thou  my  marshal  to  eternity, 
Or,  but  the  herald  of  thine  own  revenge  ? 

VELASCO. 
Nay,  Izidora — 


Ah  !  he  turns  to  thee  ! 

There's  no  forgiveness  in  his  spectral  glare  ! 
He  spurns  me  from  him  with  his  filmy  arms  ! 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  101 

Recoiling  now,  he  draws  his  mantle's  fold, 
And, — horror  !  points  unto  a  reeking  wound  ! 

VELASCO. 
Alas  !  my  love — 

IZIDORA. 
He  vanishes  in  darkness  ! 

VELASCO.  (supporting  her.) 

It  was  delusion  !  rouse  thee,  Izidora  ! 

Oh  Fate !  should  she  be — No !    she  breathes,  she 

moves. 
Cheer,  cheer,  my  love. 

[Music  is  heard* 
Dost  hear  ?     The  bridal  train 
Expect  our  coming.     'Twas  a  fleeting  dream — 

IZIDORA. 

Is  there  no  portent  in  the  troubled  air 
To  blast  my  senses,  if  I  look  around  ? 

VELASCO. 

Ah,  no  !  come  forth  !    The  blessed  sunshine  streams 
O'er  the  green  earth ;  and  every  human  heart 
Is  dancing  in  its  brightness.     Look,  and  hear  ! 
Fair  sights,  glad  sounds,  for  us  are  fair  and  glad. 

IZIDORA. 

I  hear  a  step  ;  whose  is  it  ? 

(Enter  Julio  and  Carlos.) 

Mine  own  brother  ! 
VELASCO. 

Julio  1 

12 


102  VELA  sea.  [ACT  v. 


CARLOS,  (to  Velasco.) 

My  lord,  the  king  requires  your  presence. 

[Velasco  and  Julio  regard  each  other  a  moment 
in  silence. 

VELASCO.  (to  Julio.) 

I  thank  thee,  that  thou  has  conveyed  thy  thoughts 
By  looks  not  words,  which  haply  had  been  harsh. 
I  need  not  tell  thee,  by  my  knighthood's  faith, 
I  will  account  to  thee  for  all  in  honour. 

[Exeunt  Carlos  and  Velasco. 

1ZIDORA. 

I  kn«w  thou  wouldst  return  to  me  unharm'd  ; 
That  our  false  kinsman's  words  were  false  like  him  ; 
Thrice  welcome  home,  my  own,  my  only  brother  ! 
Is  this  thy  greeting  ?     No  fraternal  kiss  ? 
No  arm  to  clasp  me,  and  no  voice  to  bless  ? 
Statue-like,  silent,  cold  ! 

JULIO. 

I  give  thee  joy. 

IZIDOIIA. 

Oh  !  memory  !     It  blazes  on  me  now. 
JULIO. 

Thou  art  to  wed,  my  sister.     As  I  passM 

Through  the  gay  streets,  I  ask'd — what  means  this 

pageant  ? 

They  told  me,  it  was  Izidora's  bridal. 
Through  our  own  halls  I  strode — they  were  deserted; 
Not  even  a  solitary  watch-dog  growl'd. 
Then,  hastening  to  the  palace,  I  look'd  round 
Searchingly  on  the  bright-rob'd,  laughing  throng, 
That  through  the  royal  valves  mov'd  to  and  fro, 
But  could  not  find  my  father.     "Where's  my  father ''. 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  103 


IZIDORA. 

Go  !  ask  the  dead. 

JULIO. 
Ah! 

IZIDORA. 

Do  not  feign  surprise. 
'Tis  useless  cruelty.     Thou  know'st  it  all. 

JULIO. 

I  do  ;  but  till  I  hear  from  thine  own  lips, 
That  thou  wilt  wed  the  homicide,  I  cannot 
Credit  the  monstrous  story. 

IZIDORA. 

It  is  true. 

JULIO. 
Thou  shalt  not  do  it. 

IZIDORA. 

Shalt  not ! 

JULIO. 

Oh  !  my  sister  ! 

By  the  fond  recollections  of  our  childhood, 
Of  those  bright  days  when  we  two,  hand  in  hand, 
Roam'd  through  the  fragrant  fields  in  Andalusia — 

IZIDORA. 

Go  on,  go  on  !     Oh  !  those  were  blessed  days  ! 
That  I  might  once  again  before  I  die 
Welcome  the  morning  with  as  light  a  heart ! 

JULIO. 
By  all  that  memory  hallows  of  the  past, 


104  VELASCO.  [ACT  v. 

By  all  that  hope  prefigures  of  the  future, 
Forego  these  nuptials. 

IZIDORA. 

No  !     It  is  too  late. 
My  word  is  pledged. 

JULIO. 

Thy  word  !     'Tis  well  for  thee 
To  be  so  scrupulous — thou,  who  hast  kept 
So  faithfully  thy  word  unto  the  dead  ! 
Ah  !  that  strikes  home.    Conscience  is  not  yet  torpid ! 

IZIDORA. 

Oh !     I  am  tried  beyond  my  human  strength. 
Spare  me,  my  brother. 

JULIO. 
Wilt  arrest  these  nuptials  ? 

IZIDORA. 
Never ! 

JULIO. 
I  do  implore  thee.     I  command  thee  ! 

IZIDORA. 

It  is  in  vain.     I  tell  thee,  that  the  dead 
Himself  hath  risen  to  fright  me  from  my  purpose  ! 
And  dost  thou  hope,  by  mortal  agency 
To  shake  my  steadfast,  unappalled  soul  ? 

JULIO. 

Then  may  the  FURIES  wait  upon  thy  nuptials  ! 
Despair  and  discord  be  thy  marriage  lot ! 
And  ere  thy  husband's  kiss  is  on  thy  cheek, 
May  thy  wrong'd  father's  image  shoot  between, 


SCENE  II.]  VELASCO.  105 

And  with  his  angry  eyes  transfix  thee,  till 
Thou'rt  petrified  with  horror  !     If  thou  hast 
Children,  may  they  be  fratricides,  avenging 
Upon  each  other's  head  their  grandsire's  doom  ! 

IZIDORA. 

Now  do  I  fear,  that  those  keen  miseries, 

Those  bitter  pangs  that  should  have  broke  my  heart, 

Have  made  it  hard  as  adamant,  or  else 

Why  quail'd  I  not  beneath  thy  imprecations? 

[Music  heard. 
The  bridegroom  waits. 

JULIO. 

By  force  I  will  withold  thee. 
Sister  !  thou  shalt  not  go  to  him. 

IZIDORA. 

Stand  back ! 

'Tis  Fate's  coercion  hurries  me  along ; 
And  Death  must  drag  me  at  his  chariot-wheels, 
Ere  we  again  are  parted  !  [Exit. 

JULIO. 

She  is  gone. 

And  what  is  Frenzy  she  believes  is  Fate — 
Shall  I  submit?  No,  no  !  it  must  not  be» 
The  terrible  alternative  is  left, 

[Exit. 


106  VELASCO.  [ACT  v. 


SCENE  III. 

The  royal  banquet-room.     A  banqueting  table  su 
perbly  set  out  with  vessels  of  wine,  goblets,  fyc. 

(Enter  Julio  through  the  folding  doors-) 

JULIO. 

How  like  a  cautious,  trembling,  guilty  thing, 
I  glide  with  stealthy  paces  toward  my  purpose. 
Can  that  be  good,  of  which  the  outward  signs 
Are  the  thief's  posture  and  the  coward's  tread? 
Away,  reflection  !     'Tis  too  late  to  waver 
When  half  the  crime  is  in  th'  intent  committed. 
Decision  gives  a  virtue  even  to  vice, 
And  gilds  its  black  deformity.     Oh  !  think 
Of  all  the  fierce  incentives  to  the  act. 
Quick  !  or  the  occasion's  gone  ! 

[He  advances  rapidly  towards  the  table, — hesi 
tates  as  he  is  about  to  poison  the  goblet,  and 
finally,  recoiling  from  the  undertaking,  rushes 
to  the  front  of  the  stage.] 

Was  I  struck  blind  ? 
Ere  I  could  do  the  deed,  a  shadow  fell 
On  all  around  me  ;  and  the  flashing  board 
Changed  to  funereal  blackness  !     Indistinct 
Was  every  object  to  my  blasted  sight ; — 
And  the  gemm'd  goblet  faded,  and  the  floor 
Sank  in  and  reel'd  like  the  sea's  undulations  ! 
I'll  not  renew  th'  attempt. 

[A  burst  of  sprightly  music  is  heard  from  a  dis 
tance.'] 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  107 

Ah  !  they  approach  ! 

With  dulcimer  and  cymbal,  they  approach  ! 
Ghost  of  my  slaughtered  father  !     Now  transfuse 
Into  this  frame  thy  immaterial  essence  ! 
Nerve  the  obedient  muscles  of  mine  arm, 
And  be  thine  own  avenger  ! 

[He  again  approaches  the  goblet  and  with  a 
steady  hand  infuses  the  poison.  Just  as  he  is 
turning1  from  the  perpetration  of  the  deed, 
Carios  and  Izidora  appear  at  the  door  in  the 
back  ground.  The  former,  after  a  significant 
gesture,  withdraws  ;  and  the  latter  comes  for 
ward  unperceived  by  Julio,  and  lays  her  hand 
upon  him,  which  causes  him  to  start  with 
terror  ] 

It  is  done ! 

IZIDORA. 
What  hast  thou  done  ? 

JULIO. 
Sister  !     What  have  I  done  ? 

IZIDORA. 

Ay ;  there  is  no  evasion  ;  for  I  know 

What  thou  hast  done.     Art  thou  my  brother,  Julio  ? 

Undo  thy  foul  attempt !  undo  it  quickly, 

Or,  by  my  hopes  of  heaven,  I  will  proclaim  it ! 

JULIO. 

Hold  !  'tis  my  turn  to  be  obdurate  now. 

Dare  to  reveal  it,  and  the  lightning's  flash 

Is  not  more  nimble  than  this  steel  shall  be 

To  make  my  vengeance  certain.  Hush  !  They  come. 

IZIDORA. 
My  brother  !  do  not — I  will — stop  these — 


108  VELASCO.  [ACT  v. 

JULIO. 

Hush! 
[He  supports  her. 

(Enter  to  music,  Ferdinand,  with  Velasco,  followed 
by  De  Lerma,  Favillo,  Carlos,  Ladies,  Knights, 
and  Banner-bearers,  whojorm  in  the  back-ground.} 

FERDINAND. 

Julio  !  thy  prompt  compliance  claims  our  thanks. 
I  bring  to  thee  a  brother.     In  that  pledge, 
Which  is  the  sacred  symbol  of  forgiveness, 
Greet  ye  each  other  first.     Then,  trumpets  !  sound  ! 
And  let  us  all  hail  the  propitious  union 
In  flowing  cups. 

JULIO. 

My  liege,  my  heart  goes  with  it; — 
And  I  will  play  the  Ganymede  myself. 

[He  leaves  Izidora,  who  stands  motionless  and 
unconscious,  but  gradually  revives  as  Velasco 
speaks.  Julio  Jills  two  goblets,  and  hands  the 
poisoned  one  to  Velasco,  who  replaces  it  on 
the  board  so  abruptly  as  to  excite  Julio's  ap 
prehensions  lest  he  is  aware  of  the  treachery. 
But  Velasco  advances  and  frankly  offers  him 
his  hand.] 

VELASCO. 

Julio  !  thy  hand  !  thou  makest  me,  by  this  act, 
Bankrupt  in  gratitude.     I  slew  thy  father — 
My  honour  forced  me,  while  my  heart  revolted  I 
I  will  requite  thee  with  a  brother's  kindness, 
Cherish  thy  sister  with  a  parent's  care, 
And  with  a  lover's  duty.     To  our  union  ! 

[As   Velasco  lifts  the  goblet,  Izidora  utters  a 
faint  exclamation,  which  arrests  his  hand. 


SCENE  III.]  VELASCO.  109 

JULIO,  (aside  to  Izidora.) 
Beware  ! 

VELASCO. 

What  says  the  bride  ? 
JULIO. 

'Tvvas  naught — the  joy — 
The  transport — Come  !  our  union  ! 

IZIDORA.  (seizing1  the  goblet  from  Velasco.) 

Give  it  me. 

[  Trembling'  she  returns  the  goblet  to  the  cup 
bearer. 

VELASCO. 
What  wouldst  thou,  Izidora? 

IZIDORA. 

Taste  it  not. 
Thou  wouldst  not  quaff  before  the  bride  has  sipp'd  ? 

JULIO. 
I'll  not  be  thwarted  by  thee. 

FERDINAND. 

Ah !     Prevent  him. 
JULIO. 
My  father  aims  the  blow  !     It  is  Gonzalez  ! 

(As  Izidora  springs  to  meet  Velasco,  he  falls  at 
her  feet.) 

IZIDORA.  (bending  over  him.) 

Oh,  fatal  treason !  terrible  revenge  ! 
K 


110  VELASCO.  [ACT  v. 


VELASCO. 

Thy  love  supports  me — and  thy  arm  enfolds  me — 
My  ebbing  sight  heaves  its  last  glance  on  thee — 
Thus  dying,  death  is  grateful.     Oh,  farewell ! 

[Dies. 

IZIDORA. 

Are  ye  all  speechless  ?     I  should  be,  were't  not 
I  know  that  I  full  soon  shall  follow  him. 
Faint !  very  faint ! 

[Seizes  the  poisoned  goblet. 

Here's  that  which  shall  revive  me  ! 

[Drains  it. 

JULIO. 
It  is  the  poison'd  goblet  f 

IZIDORA. 

Not  a  drop 
Remains  for  thee. 

[Gazing  upon  Velasco. 
Alas  !  my  only  love  ! 

The  brave,  the  glorious,  and  the  beautiful ! 
In  death  we  are  united ;  never  more 
To  part !     The  expiation  is  complete  ! 

[She  sinks  gradually  from  the   arms  of  her 
brother  towards  Velasco,  and  dies. 


CURTAIN    FALLS. 


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